Egoism

Life as an Egoist

1. Introduction

Morality is defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy as, "a code of conduct put forth by a society" (Gert). As an individual of society, we are expected to be moral people. However, morality is often hindered when beliefs come into light. Egoism for example, "[renders ethics useless]"(Moseley). The six detainees I've reviewed, are being held against their will with accusations of being immoral. It is my duty as a student/philosopher to analyze their hearings and be their voice to the public.

2. Theory

The internet encyclopedia of philosophy defines egoism as, "[one's self should be the motivation for one's actions]" (Moseley). Egoism is the devotion to one's self-interest, disregarding everyone else's self-interests. John Beverly Robinson identifies egoism with, "[hedonism or eudaimonism, or epicureanism, philosophies that focus's on the utmost pleasure for the one's self]" (Robinson). There are three forms of Egoism: Psychological, Ethical, and Minimalist. As a Psychological Egoist, "[any act performed, no matter how altruistic it may be, is in actuality committed selfishly]" (Charles D Kay). Take for example this, you choose to give money to a homeless person, but your intention wasn't to help the homeless person, rather you wanted to experience the joy of

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giving. An Ethical Egoist believes in one's self Ð'-interests, "[if this is true, then Ethical Egoism falsifies Psychological Egoism]" (Charles D Kay). An Minimalist Egoist,

"[promotes their own self-interests when operating with various economic and sociological situations]" (Charles Kay). Egoism is the counterpart of Altruism- devotion

to others, and sacrifice of self (John Beverly Robinson). As an egoist, one simply makes their own rules: if one chose to stop believing in something, whatever that may be, then it no longer applies/exists to them.

3. Detainees: Are they moral people?

Detainee Isn # 328 from set 47 is, "[a Muslim accused of being a weapons instructor from May 2001 Ð'- October 2001]" (Defense link). The Detainee requested one witness, a man by the name of Sabet Khan. In the detainee's defense, Sabet conveys to the tribunal that the detainee was sick during the time he/she was accused of being a weapons instructor. With this statement, Sabet Khan has seemed to put the Tribunal members in a bind. The Detainee is then accused of receiving training on pistols, Ak-47, and two types of rifles while at the Uighur Tora Bora training camp. His/her defense is quite egoistic in a way. In the detainee's defense, he/she voices to the tribunal that he/she was never an weapons instructor. Medical records proves his innocence, because the times of his stomach illness matches the times of the accusation. Since the detainee was a little kid, he/ she has been interested in becoming a soldier. As a soldier, the detainee wanted freedom from the communist country. The detainee was willing to do anything to attain that freedom, and escape the country's brutality. The detainee's self- interest was to

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attain freedom at any cost. His morality is questionable, the reason being is that he/she will do "anything" to gain that freedom. As an egoist, the detainee's motives are quite

understandable. He/she was willing to accomplish anything that became an obstacle to him/her.

Detainee isn # 1074 of set 47 is Muslim by the name of Mohammed Aman. "[He's accused of supporting the Taliban and being a functionary officer (a very low position job), while running his own drug store]" (defense link). For the first two and half years of Taliban government Mohammed didn't have a job, and was forced to work for them. Another accusation is the ID card that was in his possession. His defense was simple, it was a card used to pass the police checkpoints. The five witnesses testified, and unsurprisingly their stories matched. The hearing is adjourned shortly after the witnesses had testified. Medical attention was then given to Mohammed's legs. Mohammed Aman is a moral person in my eyes. Mohammed's reasons for becoming a functionary officer were justified with the situation he was in. As an egoist, Mohammed did what was necessary to ensure his well-being and finances.

Detainee isn # 801 of set 47 is a Muslim man by the name of Sabr Lal. The detainee is accused of seven crimes, which were read to him first then was asked to give an explanation. Accusation #1: the detainee aided al Qaida members in their escape from coalition forces. Sabr Lal's said in his defense, "[he had been a friend of the American forces, fought for six years against al Qaida forces, and was injured at the time of the alleged accusations]" (defense link). Accusation #2: the detainee had body guards. Sabr Lal responds with, "there were six hundred people working under me" (defense link).

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Accusation # 3: the detainee called for a jihad against the United States. Sabr Lal quickly denies this accusation. Accusation #4: the detainee assisted in the escape of Bin Laden

from Tora Bora. Sabr lal's says in his defense that, "[he was in the mountains of Kunar, there was no way for him to assist Bin Laden]" (Defense Link). Accusation # 5: The

detainee was one of Usama Bin Laden's commanders during the Soviet jihad. Sabr Lal's response was, "[I was just a soldier following orders at the time]" (Defense Link). Accusation #6: the detainee collaborated with al Qaida leadership. In his defense, Sabr Lal says, "[I fought them, but I never collaborated with them]" (Defense Link). Accusation #7: the detainee coordinated a rocket attack against the United States. Sabr Lal responds by saying, "[I couldn't have done something like that, I had no problems with Americans]" (Defense Link). It's rather apparent that Sabr Lal has been accused of many war crimes. It seems that Sabr's innocent of all charges, or rather he's an impressive liar. Accusation number #5 caught my eye. Sabr Lal was a soldier "just" following orders, but a soldier has free will. Revolting against the jihad would make him a moral person, but at the risk of his life. I do not believe Sabr lal is a moral person by his unwise decisions. As an egoist, Sabr Lal did what was necessary to survive, which falls in his self- interests.

Detainee