Self-driven vs selfish vs ?

[hypatia42]

For a long long time I have maintained that I am a supremely selfish person. I have believed that all actions that people take are for selfish reasons. That altruism doesn't exist because people don't do something unless they get something out of it. Even if that something is a decrease in the level of guilt they have for having more than the

Comments

[bleuberi21]

Self interest is what I was thinking of but could not remember it.

[hypatia42]

Thank you for sharing this term with me. I have been researching on the internet and it is exactly what I was looking for. You rock.

[fairgoldberry]

I've found that 'self-centered' (though it has its own negative connotations) or 'self-focused' tend to be how I refer to them, while I refer to actions taken regardless of the needs of others as 'thoughtless' or 'lacking in compassion

[thista]

Thank you. I needed to read this today.

[hypatia42]

Then, I'm glad you did.

[lapiswitch]

I often run into this same sort of dilemma when I talk about sacrifice.

I echo what Rowan said. We need a word like ethno-centric meaning centered around your ethnicity, but centered around self without the negative thought attached to it.

[onyxtwilight]

I'm fond of the phrase "enlightened self-interest." It allows that you have to take care of yourself first, but acknowledges that that happens best when you're keeping in mind that other people exist, and that your choices may affect them.

[hypatia42]

This is the one that I found on Wiki that seems to fit best what I am talking about. I may not use the enlightened bit when talking about it because of people's perceptions of the word enlightened. Th eother one that is sorta close, depending on the day is rational selfishness.