Lexic.us

Definition of Egoism

1. Noun. (ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality.

Definition of Egoism

1. n. The doctrine of certain extreme adherents or disciples of Descartes and Johann Gottlieb Fichte, which finds all the elements of knowledge in the ego and the relations which it implies or provides for.

Definition of Egoism

1. Noun. The tendency to think of self and self-interest. ¹

2. Noun. (context: ethics) The belief that moral behavior should be directed toward one's self-interest. ¹

3. Noun. (nonstandard by confusion of the similar words) egotism ¹

4. Noun. (rare spelling of egoism) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Egoism

1. extreme devotion to self-interest [n -S]

Medical Definition of Egoism

1. 1. The doctrine of certain extreme adherents or disciples of Descartes and Johann Gottlieb Fichte, which finds all the elements of knowledge in the ego and the relations which it implies or provides for. 2. Excessive love and thought of self; the habit of regarding one's self as the center of every interest; selfishness; opposed to altruism. Origin: F. Egoisme, fr. L. -ego I. See I, and cf. Egotism. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Egoism

Literary usage of Egoism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Law as a Means to an End by Rudolf von Jhering (1914)
"How can the world exist under a regime of egoism, which desires nothing for the world ... The answer is, the world exists by taking egoism into its service, ..."

2. Works by Herbert Spencer (1902)
"Though primarily it is dependent on egoism, yet secondarily egoism is dependent on it. Under altruism in this comprehensive sense, I take in the acts by ..."

3. Principles of Social Economics, Inductively Considered and Practically by George Gunton (1891)
"egoism is a term usually employed as relating to self, and altruism as ... This reasoning involves a misconception of the terms egoism and altruism and ..."

4. Principles of Social Economics, Inductively Considered and Practically by George Gunton (1891)
"egoism is a term usually employed as relating to self, and altruism as ... This reasoning involves a misconception of the terms egoism and altruism and ..."

5. Pure Economics by Maffeo Pantaleoni (1898)
"This is more particularly the case whenever it might otherwise be doubtful whether individual or tribal egoism is intended, and what differences may result ..."

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