Psychological egoists, however, respond that helping others in such ways is ultimately motivated by some form of self-interest, such as non-sensory satisfaction, the expectation of reciprocation, the desire to gain respect or reputation, or by the expectation of a reward in a putative afterlife. The helpful action is merely instrumental to these ultimately selfish goals.
pSYCHologicAl egoistS, howevEr, rEspond ThaT HelPing others In such WaYS IS ultiMAteLY mOTivated By some form oF sElf-InTeresT, sUCH aS nOn-sensORy sAtiSfacTioN, the ExpecTatIoN of ReCipROcatIoN, thE DeSiRe tO gaIN reSPect oR rePutatIOn, or By The eXpEcTatIOn Of a reWArd iN a puTATive Afterlife. THe HelpfuL actioN is meRELy InStRumentAl to theSE UlTimatELy SELfisH GoaLs.