Egoism's World-View
In contrast to other ethical systems, egoism sees human beings as existing in a harmonious relationship with the world. If human beings see and abide by reality, then they are capable of achieving their values. Their natural state is one of happiness; suffering is merely an aberration.

From this perspective pain and suffering are passing states, which usually can and should be avoided. They are not the primary focus of egoism's world-view. Here again egoism can be contrasted with altruism. The main focus of altruism is concern for those who are suffering; the greater the suffering, the more worthy one is to become the recipient of compassion and aid. At the same time, the altruist asks (or compels) the less needy to "give until it hurts"—again identifying pain with moral worth. As a consequence, the altruist is naturally suspicious of wealth and pleasure, which are signs that a person has not carried his or her altruistic duty far enough. As the perceptive student may have noted, the altruist's ethical perspective parallels the now-discredited cost theories of value in early economics (pp. 4.4:35-40). Just as the latter theories equated cost with praxeological value, in like manner the altruist equates pain with moral value.