Mark Overvold’s Contribution to Philosophy

Journal of Philosophical Research 16:333-344 (1991)
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Abstract

The prevailing theory of self-interest (personal utility or individual welfare) holds that one’s Iife goes well to the extent that one’s desires are fulfilled. In a couple of seminal papers, Overvold raised a devastating objection to this theory---namely that the theory (added to commonsensical beliefs about the nature of action) makes self-sacrifice logically impossible. He then proposed an appealing revision of the prevailing theory, one which provided adequate logical space for self-sacrifice. And he analyzed his revised theory’s implications for the question whether being moral is in one’s self-interest. My paper assesses Overvold’s arguments and proposals, and it shows how they can be modified in certain ways so as to be even more attractive.

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Brad Hooker
University of Reading

Citations of this work

XV-Self-Interest and Self-Sacrifice.Connie S. Rosati - 2009 - Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society 109 (1pt3):311-325.
Dead and Gone.Joyce L. Jenkins - 2011 - Utilitas 23 (2):228-234.

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