The theory of reasonable egoism: description, essence and main concept

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

When the theory of rational egoism begins to be touched upon in the dialogues of philosophers, the name of N. G. Chernyshevsky, a multifaceted and great writer, philosopher, historian, materialist, and critic, involuntarily pops up. Nikolai Gavrilovich absorbed all the best - a strong character, an irresistible zeal for freedom, a clear and rational mind. Chernyshevsky's theory of rational egoism is another step in the development of philosophy.

Definition

Under reasonable egoism should be understood a philosophical position that establishes for each individual the primacy of personal interests over the interests of other people and society as a whole.

The question arises: how does reasonable egoism differ from egoism in its direct understanding? Proponents of reasonable egoism argue that the egoist thinks only of himself. While it is unprofitable for rational egoism to neglect other personalities, and it simplyis not a selfish attitude towards everything, but only manifests itself as short-sightedness, and sometimes even as stupidity.

In other words, reasonable selfishness can be called the ability to live one's own interests or opinions without contradicting the opinions of others.

A bit of history

Reasonable egoism begins to emerge in the ancient period, when Aristotle assigned him the role of one of the components of the problem of friendship.

Further, during the period of the French Enlightenment, Helvetius considers rational egoism as the impossibility of coexisting a meaningful balance between a person's egocentric passion and public goods.

A more detailed study of this issue was received by L. Feuerbach. In his opinion, a person's virtue is based on a sense of self-satisfaction from the satisfaction of another person.

The theory of rational egoism received a deep study from Chernyshevsky. It relied on the interpretation of the egoism of the individual as an expression of the usefulness of the person as a whole. Based on this, if corporate, private and universal interests collide, then the latter should prevail.

Chernyshevsky's views

The philosopher and writer began his journey with Hegel, telling everyone what belongs only to him. Adhering to the Hegelian philosophy and views, Chernyshevsky nevertheless rejects his conservatism. And having become acquainted with his writings in the original, he begins to reject his views and sees continuous shortcomings in Hegelian philosophy:

• The creator of reality in Hegel was the absolute spirit and the absolute idea.
• Reason and idea were the driving forces of development.
• Hegel's conservatism and his commitment to the feudal-absolutist system of the country.

As a result, Chernyshevsky began to emphasize the duality of Hegel's theory and criticize him as a philosopher. Science continued to develop, and the Hegelian philosophy for the writer became outdated and lost its meaning.

From Hegel to Feuerbach

Not satisfied with Hegelian philosophy, Chernyshevsky turned to the works of L. Feuerbach, which subsequently made him call the philosopher his teacher.

In his work The Essence of Christianity, Feuerbach argues that nature and human thinking exist separately from each other, and the supreme being created by religion and human fantasy is a reflection of the individual's own essence. This theory was very inspired by Chernyshevsky, and he found in it what he was looking for.

And even while in exile, he wrote to his sons about the perfect philosophy of Feuerbach and that he remained his faithful follower.

The essence of the theory of reasonable selfishness

The theory of rational egoism in the works of Chernyshevsky was directed against religion, theological morality and idealism. According to the writer, the individual loves only himself. And it is self-love that drives people to action.

Nikolai Gavrilovich in his works says that in the intentions of people there cannot be severaldifferent natures, and the whole multitude of human desires to act proceeds from one nature, according to one law. The name of this law is reasonable selfishness.

All human actions are based on the individual's thoughts about his personal benefit and welfare. For example, the sacrifice of a person's own life for the sake of love or friendship, for the sake of any interests, can be considered reasonable egoism. Even in such an act lies personal calculation and a flash of selfishness.

What is the theory of rational egoism according to Chernyshevsky? In that the personal interests of people do not diverge from the public and do not contradict them, benefiting others. Only such principles were accepted and tried to convey to others by the writer.

The theory of reasonable egoism is briefly preached by Chernyshevsky as the theory of "new people".

Main concept of theory

The theory of reasonable selfishness evaluates the benefits of human relationships and the choice of the most profitable of them. From the point of view of theory, the manifestation of disinterestedness, mercy and charity is absolutely meaningless. Only those manifestations of these qualities that lead to PR, profit, etc. have meaning.

Under reasonable egoism is understood the ability to find a golden mean between personal capabilities and the needs of others. At the same time, each individual proceeds solely from love for himself. But having a mind, a person understands that if he thinks only about himself, he will face a huge number of problems, wanting only to satisfy personal needs. Due tothis individuals come to personal limitation. But again, this is done not out of love for others, but out of love for oneself. Therefore, in this case, it is appropriate to speak of reasonable egoism.

Manifestation of theory in the novel What Is to Be Done?

Since the central idea of Chernyshevsky's theory was life in the name of another person, this is what united the heroes of his novel What Is to Be Done?.

The theory of rational egoism in the novel What Is to Be Done? expressed in nothing other than the ethical expression of the need for mutual assistance and uniting people. This is what connects the characters of the novel. The source of happiness for them is serving the people and the success of the cause, which is the meaning of their life.

The principles of the theory apply to the personal lives of the characters as well. Chernyshevsky showed how the social face of the individual is fully manifested in love.

To an unenlightened person it may seem that the philistine selfishness of the heroine of the novel Marya Alekseevna is very close to the selfishness of the "new people". But its essence is only that it is aimed at the natural striving for goodness and happiness. The sole benefit of the individual must correspond to the public interest, identified with the interests of the working people.

Lonely happiness does not exist. The happiness of one individual depends on the happiness of all and the general welfare of society.

Chernyshevsky, as a philosopher, never defended egoism in its direct meaning. Reasonable selfishness of the heroes of the novel identifies his own benefit with the benefit of other people. For example, freeing Verochka from homeoppression, saving her from the need to marry not for love and making sure that she loves Kirsanov, Lopukhov goes into the shadows. This is one example of the manifestation of reasonable egoism in Chernyshevsky's novel.

The theory of rational egoism is the philosophical basis of the novel, where there is no place for selfishness, self-interest and individualism. The center of the novel is a person, his rights, his benefits. With this, the writer called for abandoning destructive hoarding in order to achieve true human happiness, no matter how unfavorable conditions life burdens him.

Despite the fact that the novel was written in the 19th century, its basics are applicable in the modern world.