Psychological egoism is not an ethical philosophy; rather, it is a descriptive psychological theory about human motivation and behavior. Psychological egoism asserts that all human actions are ultimately driven by self-interest, and individuals always act in ways that they perceive to be in their own self-interest, whether consciously or unconsciously.
In other words, psychological egoism claims that people are inherently selfish, and all of their actions, even seemingly selfless ones, are ultimately motivated by a desire to maximize their own well-being or happiness.
On the other hand, ethical philosophies are concerned with prescribing principles and guidelines for determining what is morally right or wrong, good or bad. Ethical theories explore how we ought to behave and how we should consider the interests of others, not just our own.
Some ethical philosophies that explicitly focus on self-interest include ethical egoism, which states that individuals should always act in their own self-interest, as it is morally right to do so. Ethical egoism is prescriptive, advocating that self-interest should guide moral decision-making.
In contrast, ethical altruism is an opposing view that emphasizes the importance of considering the interests and well-being of others before or at least alongside one's own interests. Ethical altruism holds that individuals should act in ways that benefit others, even if it requires sacrificing some of their own interests.
In summary, psychological egoism is a descriptive theory explaining human behavior, suggesting that all actions are motivated by self-interest. It is not an ethical philosophy but serves as a backdrop for discussions about ethical theories like ethical egoism and ethical altruism, which provide normative perspectives on how individuals should consider their self-interest in relation to the interests of others.