Hobbes, Thomas. "Of the First and Second Natural Laws, and of Contracts.” Leviathan
Hobbes, Thomas. "Of the Natural Condidtion of Mankind as Concerning Their Felicity and Misery." Leviathan
Hobbes, Thomas. "Of Other Laws of Nature.” Leviathan “Men are apt to invade and destroy one another”(Hobbes 2). Hobbes is making the claim that individuals believe that other individuals that others are out to destroy and invade one another. Further, a person believes that another person has the belief that others are out to take ones possessions or cause him or her harm in another way.
Hobbes offers evidence to this by asking questions …show more content…
Abraham Lincoln and a passenger were discussing psychological egoism. Abraham Lincoln took the position that all men act selfish, while the other passenger disagreed with him. Soon they come across a group of pigs who will drown without help. Therefore, Abraham Lincoln saves the pigs from drowning. When Abraham Lincoln comes back, the fellow passenger questions him about his actions. Questioning why this act was selfish. Lincoln says it is because it would have bothered him if he did not help the pigs. Therefore, he was acting in his own self-interest, saving the pigs resulted in the lack of thinking about the drowning pigs later …show more content…
"Psychological Egosim." Reason and Responsibility; Readings in Some Basic Problems of Philosophy. 480-90. As discussed during lectures a hedonist believes that all human actions are to produce pleasure or happiness. Feinberg uses the paradox of hedonism to make a point, which simply is that pursuing only happiness or pleasure does not ultimately result in pleasure or happiness. However, the only way to gain pleasure or happiness is to act without the expectation of happiness. Feinberg uses the paradox of hedonism to strengthen his argument that psychological egoistic hedonism is false. As mentioned previously a psychological hedonist believes a person’s actions are solely based on the desire to feel happiness or pleasure. However, this claim is false, in fact happiness is often felt when ones actions are to achieve something else. For instance, a college student may study for an exam not because it brings one pleasure but because the student wants to receive a high grade. Earning a high grade may result in the feeling of pleasure. This example demonstrates that the argument made by the hedonist is false because not all actions one makes is for pleasure. There are in fact numerous outcomes a person may hope for other than pleasure when deciding how to