We explain what selfishness is, the characteristics of a selfish person, and what types of selfishness exist. Also, we discuss selfishness in philosophy. Please read other MTV articles for more information. If you share it, it will be of little help to us.
What is selfishness?
Selfishness is a behavior of excessive attachment to one’s own well-being, which leads to ignoring or harming the needs of others. Selfish people tend to think only of themselves and show little interest in the well-being of others.
Since ancient times, selfishness has been considered a morally reprehensible trait. The vast majority of religions and ethical codes reject it and instead promote values such as brotherhood and love for one’s neighbor. In children’s stories, for example, it is often associated with negative characters or characters who must learn a lesson, as is the case in The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).
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On the other hand, selfishness is also analyzed by disciplines such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, and even biology. In the latter, it is interpreted as behavior oriented toward defending an organism’s own interests and is linked to the concept of “survival of the fittest” proposed by Charles Darwin.
The word “selfishness” comes from the Latin ego (“I”) and the suffix -ism, which indicates a tendency or doctrine.
Etymology of Selfishness
KEY POINTS
- Selfishness is an attitude focused on self-benefit, which often ignores or harms the needs of others. Selfish people tend to think only of themselves, show little empathy, and seek personal advantage in any situation.
- Selfishness can be classified according to personal motivation (egocentric, conscious, or altruistic selfishness) or according to the impact it has on others (positive or negative selfishness).
- In philosophy, there are three main perspectives on selfishness: psychological (every human act responds to personal interests), moral (acting for one’s own benefit is the most ethical), and rational (individual well-being should be sought through logical decisions).
Characteristics of a Selfish Person
A selfish person typically exhibits the following attitudes:
- They always put their personal benefit first, even when a small effort on their own part would greatly help others.
- They show difficulty sharing or giving up opportunities for others.
- They seek to monopolize attention and are impatient when others take center stage.
- They seek to gain personal advantage in any situation. They always give the bare minimum, whether of their own time, effort, or money, when doing something, seeking the most comfortable or convenient option for themselves.
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Types of Selfishness
From different perspectives, several types of selfishness have been identified. Two of the most relevant classifications are: based on personal motivation and based on the degree of responsibility toward others.
Based on Personal Motivation
Depending on what drives a person to act, the following types of selfishness can be distinguished:
Egocentric Selfishness
This is the attitude of people who live focused on their own world and their own desires. They tend toward victimhood and lack empathy, as they find it difficult to put themselves in another’s shoes and see others as means to their ends.
Conscious or Neutral Selfishness
This is based on prioritizing one’s own needs without harming others. It is a more rational and moderate attitude, related to healthy self-esteem.
Altruistic selfishness
This is behavior that seeks personal benefit, but in a way that also benefits others. For example, someone who starts a business with the aim of increasing their income and, at the same time, creating jobs.
According to the degree of responsibility toward others
Depending on the effect that selfishness has on others, a distinction can be made between:
Positive selfishness
It allows individuals to seek their own benefit without harming others. It is practiced when actions are taken that please both oneself and others, generating shared benefits.
Negative selfishness
It manifests itself in attitudes that, directly or indirectly, harm others to satisfy a personal desire. It is the most morally rejected form of selfishness, as those who practice it distance themselves from the collective well-being and focus solely on what they want or need.
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Selfish love
Certain types of relationships in which one party imposes themselves on the other are commonly called “selfish love.” In these relationships, there is no balance or mutual respect, and the bond revolves around the interests of only one person.
This type of bond often causes suffering, manipulation, or emotional dependence. For this reason, it is also known as “toxic love” or “manipulative love.”
Egoism in Philosophy
From a philosophical perspective, egoism has been approached from different perspectives. The three main ones are: psychological egoism, moral (or ethical) egoism, and rational egoism.
Psychological Egoism
Psychological egoism holds that all human actions are motivated by self-interest. According to this position, even when behavior appears altruistic or selfless, there is always a selfish motivation, such as avoiding blame, seeking approval, or experiencing personal satisfaction.
This approach presents selfishness as a universal characteristic of human nature. In this sense, it is not an ethical choice, but an inevitable condition of human behavior.
Moral Egoism
Moral egoism proposes that the only valid course of action is for one’s own benefit. According to this perspective, ethical conduct should be guided by personal interest, which does not preclude actions from also generating an indirect or secondary benefit for others.
Thus, the moral egoist argues that each individual, and even human groups (such as countries or organizations), should primarily look after their own well-being. This position is based on the idea that one’s own needs are the only ones that can be known with certainty, and trying to satisfy the needs of others could cause more harm than good.
Rational Egoism
Rational egoism argues that the pursuit of one’s own well-being should be based on objective and logical decisions, without relying on traditional moral criteria. It believes that altruism prioritizes the well-being of others at the expense of the individual, which leads to discomfort and collectivism.
Rational egoism promotes autonomy and consistency between one’s values and actions as the basis for a fulfilling life.
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Quotes about Selfishness
Some famous quotes about selfishness are the following:
- The egoist loves himself without rivals. Cicero (106-43 BC), ancient Roman writer and politician.
- No one is ever secondary to himself. François Rabelais (1494-1553), French writer.
- The egoist would set fire to his neighbor’s house to fry an egg. Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), British philosopher and essayist.
- Man is wolf to man. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), British philosopher and political scientist.
- There is no true happiness in selfishness. George Sand (1804-1876), French writer.
- Great egotists are the stock of great wicked people. Concepción Arenal (1820-1893), Spanish writer.
- An egoist is a person who thinks more about themselves than about me. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), American writer and editor.
- The only acceptable selfishness is that of trying to make everyone well off so that oneself may be better off. Jacinto Benavente (1866-1954), Spanish playwright.
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References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, which ensure reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary. (n.d.). Etymology of egoism. etimologias.dechile.net
- Farrell, M. D. (1992). Ethical Egoism. Journal of the Center for Constitutional Studies, 11, 113-179. cepc.gob.es
- Royal Spanish Academy. (n.d.). Egoism. Dictionary of the Spanish Language. dle.rae.es
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Egoism. plato.stanford.edu
- selfishness definition, What It Is, Its Characteristics, and Types of Behavior – concepto.de
