Merriam-Webster collegiate dictionary defines egoism as “a
doctrine that individual self-interest is the actual motive of all conscious
action.” Social responsibility entails one’s actions benefiting one’s society
more than oneself. A cost benefit analysis sided towards the many rather than
towards the individual. In the two books The Elements of Moral Society and
Ethical Issues in Engineering by James Rachels and
Deborah Johnson respectively, the subject of egoism and social responsibility
come up. Hannaford in Johnson’s book and James Rachels
support social responsibility. Friedman and I are supporting the egoism side.
Our modern society is based on individualism. Without individualism we’d end up
just like serfs on a medieval manor. That is looking out for the “society” as
opposed to oneself. The Renaissance in the western world is where we broke
those chains of social obligations. Looking out for number 1, one’s family,
one’s company first and foremost is my definition of egoism.
