Egoism

Egoism is an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.[1]

Etymology

The term egoism is derived from the Greek ("εγώ") and subsequently its Latinised ego (ego), meaning "self" or "I," and -ism, used to denote a system of belief. As such, the term shares early etymology with egotism.

Forms

• Ethical egoism, the doctrine that holds that individuals ought to do what is in their self-interest
• Psychological egoism, the doctrine that holds that individuals are always motivated by self-interest
• Rational egoism, the belief that it is rational to act in one's self-interest

The terms "egoism" and "egotism" may also refer to:

• Egotism, an excessive or exaggerated sense of self-importance
• Solipsism (sometimes called egoism), the belief that only one's self exists, or that only the experiences of one's self can be verified
• Egoist anarchism, a form of anarchism, as most often represented by Max Stirner
• Egocentrism, lack of emotional obligation to "put oneself in other peoples' shoes"

Philosophers who developed philosophical systems of egoism

• Friedrich Nietzsche
• Ayn Rand
• Arthur Desmond as Ragnar Redbeard
• Max Stirner, whose views were described by John F. Welsh as "dialectical egoism"[2]
• James L. Walker, who independently formulated an egoist philosophy before himself discovering the work of Stirner.[3]

See also

• Altruism, the selfless concern for the welfare of others
• Cogito ergo sum
• Enlightened self-interest, a philosophy in ethics which states that persons who act to further the interests of others (or the interests of the group or groups to which they belong), ultimately serve their own self-interest.
• Individualism, a focus on the individual as opposed to society
• Individualist anarchism, anarchism that exalts the supremacy of the individual
• Machiavellianism (psychology), a tendency to deceive and manipulate others for personal gain
• Selfishness, denoting the precedence given in thought or deed to the self, i.e., self-interest or self concern
• Selfism, a pejorative term referring to any philosophy, doctrine, or tendency that upholds explicitly selfish principles as being desirable
• Suitheism, the belief in self as a deity

References

1. "egoism - Definition of egoism in English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries - English. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
2. "Max Stirner's Dialectical Egoism: A New Interpretation : John F. Welsh : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
3. McElroy, Wendy (2003). The Debates of Liberty. Lexington Books. pp. 54–55.