Introduction

Abstract

Abstract This short opening chapter introduces the topic of the book, drawing distinctions and elucidating the main claims that are at stake. It explains what motivational egoism and motivational hedonism are, and how they contrast with motivational pluralism (including altruism), as well as with the everyday sense in which people can be described as hedonists. The chapter also explains why these issues matter for issues of moral responsibility, as well as for our understanding of the sources of motivation quite generally. Finally, the appropriate methodology for resolving the issue is outlined (theorizing the science rather than common-sense intuitions), and the sequence of topics covered in the book is described.