Psychological and ethical perspectives differ in whether they describe human behavior versus prescribing how humans should behave.
Key Differences Explained
The core distinction lies in their focus: psychology seeks to understand and explain how people actually think, feel, and behave, while ethics concerns itself with how people ought to behave and what constitutes right and wrong.
Here's a breakdown in table format:
| Feature | Psychological | Ethical |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Description, Explanation, Prediction | Prescription, Evaluation, Justification |
| Concern | How people do behave | How people should behave |
| Nature | Empirical, Observational | Normative, Moral |
| Goal | Understanding human behavior and mental processes | Establishing principles of right and wrong |
| Example | Explaining why someone lies | Arguing whether lying is morally permissible |
Egoism: A Specific Example
Consider the concept of egoism. As noted in the provided reference, there are distinct psychological and ethical versions:
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Psychological Egoism: This descriptive theory asserts that all human actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest, whether or not individuals are consciously aware of it. It's a claim about the underlying psychological drivers of behavior.
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Ethical Egoism: This normative theory argues that individuals should act in their own self-interest. It's a claim about moral obligation – that promoting one's own good is morally right.
Practical Implications
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A psychologist might study the reasons why someone helps a stranger, perhaps uncovering underlying self-serving motives (e.g., boosting self-esteem, reducing guilt).
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An ethicist might debate whether it's right to help a stranger, even if it entails personal sacrifice. They would analyze the act in terms of moral principles like altruism, duty, or consequences.
In Summary
Psychological perspectives offer explanations for human behavior, while ethical perspectives provide evaluations and justifications for what is considered right or wrong. One describes, the other prescribes.
