Re: “I am far from convinced that people in general wish to be seen as caring more about morality than they actually do.”
Not everyone—just most people. Signalling you are moral and trustworthy helps win friends, partners and mates.
Re: “If this was the case, why would the persistent claim that people are—and, logically, must be—egoists have so long survived strong counter-arguments?”
Surely egoists want to signal how trustworthy and moral they are too—just like most other people.
Re: “I am far from convinced that people in general wish to be seen as caring more about morality than they actually do.”
Not everyone—just most people. Signalling you are moral and trustworthy helps win friends, partners and mates.
Re: “If this was the case, why would the persistent claim that people are—and, logically, must be—egoists have so long survived strong counter-arguments?”
Surely egoists want to signal how trustworthy and moral they are too—just like most other people.
That’s typically what “people in general” means.
Often, the general case encompasses all specific instances.
And generally speaking, you should try to be specific. (???)