After reading the tale of Gyges, it is easy to see an extreme version of psychological selfishness. This means that the only thing that motivates humans to do something is their own self-interest. However, there is also the argument that altruism exists. Altruism means that one can have the desire to benefit others without ulterior motives. After reading this definition I asked myself the question: can altruism exist when psychological selfishness is present? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The simple answer is that altruism cannot exist when psychological selfishness exists. The reason for this can be found in the argument about the implications of selfishness. This argument states that we cannot be altruistic if psychological selfishness exists. That said, it cannot be our duty to be altruistic. This is because morality does not require the impossible. When I first thought about this statement, I really believed that both altruism and psychological selfishness could exist at the same time. However, the more I read and informed myself about these concepts, the more I realized that everything brings some benefit to the individual, therefore disproving altruism. Even though you may do something without doing it specifically for personal gain, one is always there. Whether it is fulfillment or self-satisfaction, there is always personal gain. However, this does not mean that that is the main objective of a particular action or deed. Another thing I found very interesting while reading was one of the two selfish strategies. While both sparked interest, the one that really stood out to me was “appealing to the guilty conscience.” Many people act ethically not because it is right, but rather because they fear what will happen when they do something wrong. Many people, for example, talk about the terrible sense of guilt they would feel if they did nothing to counter an unjust act. To be clearer, they fear the guilt they would feel if they didn't act. While this may be a subconscious thought during the moment of an unjust act, the fact of the matter is that that fear is still present and is often the reason people act. Appealing to the guilty conscience only further demonstrates that altruism cannot exist when psychological selfishness exists. In this case, having a clear conscience and avoiding guilt would be considered personal gain. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, although it is often not realized, everything that individuals do in life has a personal benefit. However, to be fair, not all actions are done solely with the intention of personal gain. There are some people in this world who believe they are truly performing altruistic acts that cannot benefit them. After careful consideration, I agree that in this world altruism cannot exist when psychological selfishness exists. While not always the goal, every action comes with some sort of reward, however large or small it may be.