egoism

[ ee-goh-iz-uhm, eg-oh- ]

noun

1. the habit of valuing everything only in reference to one's personal interest; selfishness ( altruism ).
2. egotism or conceit.
3. Ethics. the view that morality ultimately rests on self-interest.

egoism

/ ˈiːɡəʊˌɪzəm; ˈɛɡ- /

noun

1. concern for one's own interests and welfare
2. ethics the theory that the pursuit of one's own welfare is the highest good Compare altruism
3. self-centredness; egotism

Other Words From

• anti·ego·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of egoism¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from French égoïsme, from New Latin egoismus, equivalent to ego ego ( def ) + -ismus -ism ( def )

Synonym Study

See egotism.

Example Sentences

Ethical egoism – which says that the ethical thing is that which brings about the greatest happiness for oneself – is a relevant ethical theory in this situation.

From No Straight News

He spoke continually of himself, indeed, but still in enigmas; a veiled prophet of egoism.

From Project Gutenberg

What delicate comprehension of everything, what a loving heart, what a complete absence of egoism!

From Project Gutenberg

He has attained to annihilating himself, his hateful ego; but I too; it's not from egoism, I pray not.

From Project Gutenberg

My sufferings, my repugnance, my feelings, all my egoism—for I know that I am an egoist—ought to be sacrificed to the family.

From Project Gutenberg

And when, with cynical egoism, they have collected their unnumbered dollars, what do they do with them?

From Project Gutenberg