egoism
(ˈɛg-, ˈiːgəʊɪz(ə)m)
[ad. F. egoïsme, ad. mod.L. egoismus, f. L. ego I: see -ism. Cf. egomism.]
1. Metaph. The belief, on the part of an individual, that there is no proof that anything exists but his own mind; chiefly applied to philosophical systems supposed by their adversaries logically to imply this conclusion.
| [1722 C. M. Pfaff (title), De Egoismo, nova philosophica hæresi.] 1785 Reid Int. Powers ii. x. 285, I am left alone in that forlorn state of egoism. 1803 Edin. Rev. I. 279 The egoism of Berkeley and Hume is largely incorporated in his system. |
2. Ethics. The theory which regards self-interest as the foundation of morality. Also, in practical sense: Regard to one's own interest, as the supreme guiding principle of action; systematic selfishness. (In recent use opposed to altruism.)
| 1800 Hist. Europe in Ann. Reg. 234/1 Affection..was lost in selfishness or according to their new word Egoism. 1825 T. Jefferson Autobiog. Wks. 1859 I. 103 A contrast of his egoism (for he was beneficed on them) with the generous abandonment of rights by the other members of the Assembly. 1840 Gladstone Ch. Princ. 463 Egoism..is sure to prevail whenever the pressure of high Christian motives is removed. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. i. 9 The mature man, hardened into sceptical egoism, knows no monition but that of his own frigid cautions. 1860 Mill Repr. Govt. (1865) 19/2 Religion in this shape is quite consistent with the most selfish and contracted egoism. 1873 H. Spencer Stud. Sociol. viii. 198 The promptings of egoism are duly restrained by regard for others. |
b. (See quot.)
| 1882 Haeckel in Nature XXVI. 540 The natural instinct of self-preservation, Egoism. |
c. pl. Selfish aims or purposes; instances of selfishness.
| 1795 T. Jefferson Writ. Wks. 1859 IV. 115 It must be so extensive as that local egoisms may never reach its greater part. 1843 Carlyle Past & Pr. (1858) 90 Hearsays, egoisms, purblind dilettantisms. 1870 J. Stirling Mill on Trades Un. in Recess Stud. viii. 309 The internecine strife of anarchical egoisms. |
3. In matters of opinion: a. The habit of looking upon all questions chiefly in their relations to oneself. b. Excessive exaltation of one's own opinion; self-opinionatedness.
| 1840 Gladstone Ch. Princ. 134 He is deprived of every shadow of a plea to impute fanaticism or any form of egoism. 1852 Robertson Lect. 169 That egoism of man..can..read in the planets only prophecies of himself. 1870 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. i. (1873) 177 Every narrow provincialism whether of egoism or tradition. |
4. = egotism 1.
| 1807 T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 69 Pardon me these egoisms. 1870 Gladstone Prim. Hom. (1878) 148 Never once..does Odusseus indulge in the slightest egoism. 1870 Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. xxxiv. 4 Note the egoism of this verse and of those preceding it. |
5. Hindu Philosophy. Used as transl. of Skr. abhimâna, by some rendered ‘self-consciousness’.
| 1862 F. Hall Hindu Philos. Syst. 45 The organ of egoism. 1878 Cowell Aphorisms of Sandila 110 The Sán-khya considers ‘intellect’ ‘egoism’, and ‘mind’ as quite distinct from each other. |