Ethical egoism rests on the understanding that other, more traditional concepts of morality are based on some supernatural power's restrictive whims, which have no benefit for the individual. Ayn Rand describes such a moral code where the only good is the good of others: “If you wish it, it's evil; if others wish it, it's good.”1 But, if this is the case, it is immoral for one person to want something, but moral for them to fulfill that want in someone else. This code, according to ethical egoists, is in direct opposition to happiness and life itself.
Instead, ethical egoism turns things around. Rather than the highest moral principle being self-sacrifice, it is the achievement of your own happiness. By a person's happiness will their morality be evident. And it may be that helping others is moral under ethical egoism – but only if it truly is based on the selfish pleasure one may get from it.
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It would certainly be easy for someone to take advantage of such a moral code. The apparent double standard is also problematic. However, the criticisms of that code do not demonstrate the validity of this alternative. It is very possible that neither one of them is sufficient. Some of the major difficulties ethical egoism must face up to are the need for moral rules in situations with a conflict of interests.2 Different things may be in the best interest of two different individuals, yet both of them cannot come about. Deciding the best course of action in these situations requires having a moral code that goes beyond simply serving