When the theory of rational egoism begins to be touched upon in the dialogues of philosophers, the surname of N. Chernyshevsky, a multifaceted and great writer, philosopher, historian, materialist, critic, unwittingly emerges. Nikolai Gavrilovich absorbed all the best - a persistent character, an irresistible zeal for freedom, a clear and rational mind. The theory of rational egoism of Chernyshevsky is the next step in the development of philosophy.
Definition
Reasonable egoism should be understood as 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 is rational egoism different from egoism in its direct sense? Proponents of rational egoism claim that the egoist thinks only of himself. While it is unprofitable for rational egoism to neglect other personalities, it simply does not represent a selfish attitude to everything, but only manifests itself as shortsightedness, and sometimes even as stupidity.
In other words, the ability to live by one’s own interests or opinion, without contradicting the opinion of others, can be called rational egoism.
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 the coexistence of a meaningful balance between a person’s egocentric passion and public goods.
Feuerbach L. received a more detailed study of this issue. In his opinion, a person’s virtue is based on a sense of personal satisfaction from the satisfaction of another person.
The theory of rational egoism was thoroughly studied by Chernyshevsky. It relied on the interpretation of the egoism of the individual as an expression of the usefulness of a person as a whole. Based on this, if corporate, private and universal interests collide, then the latter should prevail.
Views Chernyshevsky
The philosopher and writer began his journey with Hegel, telling everyone that belongs only to him. Adhering to Hegelian philosophy and views, Chernyshevsky nonetheless rejects his conservatism. And having become acquainted with his works in the scripts, he begins to reject his views and sees in Hegelian philosophy continuous flaws:
- Hegel's creator of reality was an absolute spirit and an 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 ambiguity of Hegel's theory and criticize him as a philosopher. Science continued to develop, and the Hegelian philosophy for the writer was outdated and lost its meaning.
From Hegel to Feuerbach
Not satisfied with Hegelian philosophy, Chernyshevsky turned to the works of L. Feuerbach, which subsequently forced him to call the philosopher his teacher.
In his essay, “The Essence of Christianity,” Feuerbach argues that nature and human thinking exist separately from each other, and that a higher being created by a person’s religion and fantasy is a reflection of the individual’s own essence. This theory inspired Chernyshevsky very much, and he found in it what he was looking for.
And even being in exile, he wrote to his sons about Feuerbach 's perfect philosophy and that he remained his faithful follower.
The essence of the theory of rational egoism
The theory of rational egoism in Chernyshevsky’s works was directed against religion, theological morality and idealism. According to the writer, the individual loves only himself. And it is selfishness that encourages people to act.
Nikolai Gavrilovich in his works says that in the intentions of people there cannot be several different natures and that the whole set of human desires to act comes from one nature, according to one law. The name of this law is rational egoism.
All human actions are based on the thoughts of the individual about his personal benefit and good. For example, a rational egoism can be considered a person’s sacrifice of his own life for the sake of love or friendship, for the sake of any interests. Even in such an action lies a personal calculation and a flash of egoism.
What is the theory of rational egoism according to Chernyshevsky? That 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 the writer.
The theory of rational egoism is briefly preached by Chernyshevsky as a theory of "new people."
The basic concept of the theory
The theory of rational egoism evaluates the benefits of human relationships and the selection of the most beneficial ones. From the point of view of theory, the manifestation of selflessness, mercy and charity are absolutely meaningless. Only those manifestations of these qualities that lead to public relations, making a profit, etc., have meaning.
Under reasonable egoism is understood the ability to find a middle ground between personal capabilities and the needs of others. In addition, each individual proceeds solely from self-love. But having a mind, a person understands that if he thinks only of himself, he will face a huge set of problems, wanting only to satisfy personal needs. As a result of this, individuals come to a personal restriction. But this is done again, not out of love for others, but out of love for oneself. Therefore, in this case, it is advisable to talk about rational egoism.
The manifestation of the theory in the novel "What to do?"
Since the central idea of Chernyshevsky’s theory was life in the name of another person, this is precisely what united the heroes of his novel “What to do?”
The theory of rational egoism in the novel "What to do?" expressed in nothing other than the ethical expression of the need for mutual assistance and unification of people. The heroes of the novel are precisely what connects. The source of happiness for them is the service of 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 heroes. Chernyshevsky showed how the public face of an individual is fully manifested in love.
It may seem to an unenlightened person that the philistine egoism of the heroine of the novel by Marya Alekseevna is very close to the egoism of the “new people”. But its essence is only that it is aimed at the natural desire for good and happiness. The sole benefit of the individual must correspond to the public interests, 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 well-being in society.
Chernyshevsky as a philosopher never defended egoism in its direct meaning. The rational egoism of the heroes of the novel identifies its benefit with the benefit of other people. For example, having freed Verochka from her oppression, having saved her from having to marry unlovingly and making sure that she loves Kirsanov, Lopukhov goes into the shadows. This is one example of the manifestation of rational egoism in Chernyshevsky’s novel.
The theory of rational egoism is the philosophical basis of the novel, where there is no place for selfishness, selfishness and individualism. The center of the novel is the man, his rights, his benefits. By this, the writer called for abandoning destructive hoarding for the sake of achieving true human happiness, no matter how adverse conditions his life burdensome.
Despite the fact that the novel was written in the 19th century, its foundations are applicable in the modern world.