Final answer:
A psychological egoist would argue that all acts, including giving to charity, are motivated by self-interest, such as feeling good about oneself or fulfilling an obligation to society. Objections to psychological egoism highlight actions that are not necessarily in one's immediate self-interest, hence challenging the claim that self-interest is the only motivator. The debate between self-interest and altruism remains a topic of philosophical discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to psychological egoism, a person who gives to charity does so ultimately due to self-interest. This position would argue that the act of giving to charity satisfies personal desires such as feeling good about oneself, fulfilling a perceived obligation to society, or avoiding guilt. Thus, a psychological egoist would likely agree with statements that all human behavior, including charitable acts, is motivated by self-interest. The egoist suggests that even seemingly altruistic acts are done because they align with one's own greatest good.
However, there are objections to psychological egoism, which argue that not all decisions are made with self-interest in mind. People can act against their own desires or immediate self-interest, such as donating money that could have been used for personal enjoyment to instead support a charitable cause. It is important to note that while self-interest can be a driving factor in many economic decisions, it does not completely define human behavior.
Rationalizing altruistic behavior through the lens of psychological egoism involves proving that such behavior is aligned with one's self-interest. Yet, the continued debate between self-serving motivations and selfless altruism leaves the true nature of charitable acts somewhat open to personal interpretation and philosophical discourse. Overall, it seems that while self-interest may explain many behaviors, it is not the exclusive motivator, evidenced by actions that go beyond narrow self-interest.