egoism
Doctrine favoring self
Egoism is the ethical theory or personal stance that self-interest is the foundation of morality and the proper goal of all action.
Unlike egotism, which suggests excessive self-regard or boastfulness, egoism is more philosophical—it holds that acting in one's own interest is rational and justified.
Rational egoism argues that pursuing your own good is always reasonable.
In everyday use, egoism sometimes overlaps with selfishness, though philosophers distinguish between ethical egoism (how one should act) and psychological egoism (the claim that people always do act from self-interest).
Concern for personal advantage
- objectivismBelief in external truths
- Ayn RandObjectivist movement founder
- individualismDoctrine of personal independence
- hedonismPursuit of gratification
utilitarianism · consequentialism · solipsism · subjectivism · altruism · Nietzsche · moral philosophy · enlightened self-interest
Preoccupation with one's own interests
- greedExcessive desire for wealth
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
- me-firstPrioritizing personal advantage
- self-absorbedExcessively focused inward
self-interested · unsharing · hoarding · acquisitive · exploitative · grasping · covetous · mercenary
Instinct to survive danger
- self-interestConcern for personal advantage
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- survival instinctInborn drive to live
self-protection · autonomy · independence · resourcefulness · self-support · self-defense · competitive advantage · adaptation
Prioritizing your own worth
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- self-obsessionFixation on oneself
- grandiosityExaggerated sense of importance
conceit · self-absorption · vainglory · self-glorification · self-worship · megalomania · superiority complex · preening
Ruinous excessive confidence
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- pomposityExaggerated sense of importance
- superciliousnessScornful sense of superiority
condescension · disdain · self-importance · boastfulness · overconfidence · snobbery · loftiness · presumptuousness
Unconscious instinctual drives
- selfOne's own being
- psycheTotal mental life
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
- self-imageOne's view of oneself
self-awareness · self-esteem · identity · selfhood · personality · consciousness · self-perception · inner life
self-interest
Concern for personal advantage
- objectivismBelief in external truths
- Ayn RandObjectivist movement founder
- individualismDoctrine of personal independence
hedonism · utilitarianism · consequentialism · solipsism · subjectivism · altruism · Nietzsche · moral philosophy · enlightened self-interest · Hobbes
self-centeredness
Preoccupation with one's own interests
- greedExcessive desire for wealth
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
- me-firstPrioritizing personal advantage
self-absorbed · self-interested · unsharing · hoarding · acquisitive · exploitative · grasping · covetous · mercenary · self-indulgent
self-preservation
Instinct to survive danger
- self-interestConcern for personal advantage
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
survival instinct · self-protection · autonomy · independence · resourcefulness · self-support · self-defense · competitive advantage · adaptation
self-love
Prioritizing your own worth
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- self-obsessionFixation on oneself
grandiosity · conceit · self-absorption · vainglory · self-glorification · self-worship · megalomania · superiority complex · preening · exhibitionism
hubris
Ruinous excessive confidence
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- pomposityExaggerated sense of importance
superciliousness · condescension · disdain · self-importance · boastfulness · overconfidence · snobbery · loftiness · presumptuousness · high-handedness
id
Unconscious instinctual drives
- selfOne's own being
- psycheTotal mental life
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
self-image · self-awareness · self-esteem · identity · selfhood · personality · consciousness · self-perception · inner life · self-regard
- moralitymoral, moral values, immoral, moral principles, moral code
- beliefsbelief, beliefs, creed, creeds, faith
- human traitskindness, compassion, empathy, generosity, creativity
- ismscapitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, racism
- selfishnessselfishness, greed, narcissism, self-centeredness, self-serving
- egoself-esteem, self-worth, conceit, self-regard, self-image
egoismaltruism
Prioritizing others' wellbeing
selflessness · self-sacrifice · unselfishness · self-abnegation · philanthropy
egoismhumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · self-effacement · diffidence · meekness · self-deprecation
egoismdisinterestedness
Absence of selfish motive
objectivity · impartiality · detachment · neutrality · fairness