egoism (egoizm)

[=D. G. egoism us = Dan. egoisme Sw. egoism = F. egoïsme = Sp. Pg. It. egoismo; as ego + -ism.] 1. The habit of valuing everything only in reference to one's personal interest; pure selfishne or exclusive reference to self as an element of character. The Ideal, the True and Noble that was in them having faded out, and nothing now remaining but naked egoism , vulturous greedine , they cannot live. Carlyle. 2. In ethics, the doing or seeking of that which affords pleasure or advantage to one's self, in distinction to that which affords pleasure or advantage to others: opposed to altruism. In this sense the term does not nece arily imply anything reprehensible, and is not synonymous with egotism. Egoism is the feeling which demands for self an increase of enjoyment and diminution of discomfort. Altruism is that which demands these results for others. L. F. Ward, Dynam. Sociol., I. 14. Egoism comprises the sum of inclinations that aim at purely personal gratification, each of these inclinations having its particular gratification; and the further we go back in civilisation, the greater is the predominance which these egoistic impulses have. Maudsley, Body and Will, p. 164. egotism 3. In metaph., the opinion that no matter exists and only one mind, that of the individual holding the opinion. The term is also applied (by critics) to forms of subjective idealism supposed logically to result in such an opinion. See solipsism. =Syn. 1. Pride, Egotism, etc. See egotism. egoist (ē'go-ist), n. [= D. G. Dan. Sw. egoist = F. egoiste = Sp. Pg. It. egoist a; as ego + -ist.] 1. One who is characterized by egoism; a selfish or self-centered person.-2. In metaph., one holding the doctrine of egoism. egoistic, egoistical (e-go-is'tik, -ti-kal), a. [ The adequately egoistic individual retains those powers which make altruistic activities po ible. H. Spencer , Data of Ethics, § 72. 3. In metaph ., involving the doctrine that nothing exists but the ego. The egoistical idealism of Fichte is le exposed to criticism than the theological idealism of Berkeley. Sir W. Hamilton . Egoistical object, a mode of consciousne regarded as an object.-Egoistical representation ism, the doctrine that the external world is known to us by means of representative ideas, and that these are modifications of consciousne . egoistically (ē-gō-is'ti-kal-i), adv. In an egoistie manner; as regards one's self. others' violence. Each profits egoistically from the growth of an altruism which leads each to aid in preventing or diminishing II. Spencer , Data of Ethics, § 77. egoity (e-go'i-ti), n. [ This innocent imposture, which I have all along taken care to carry on, as it then was of some use, has since been of regular service to me, and, by being mentioned in one of my papers, effectually recovered my egoity out of the hands of some gentlemen who endeavoured to correct it for me. Swift , On Harrison's Tatler, No. 28. If you would permit me to use a school term, I would say the egoity remains: that is, that by which I am the same I was. W. Wollaston, Religion of Nature, ix. § 8. The non-ego out of which we arise must somehow have an egoity in it as cause of finite egos. Amer. Jour. Psychol., I. 546. egoize (e'go-iz), v. i.; pret. and pp. egoized , ppr. egoizing. [ ego + -ize.] To give exce ive attention or consideration to one's self, or to what relates to one's self; be absorbed in self. [Rare.] egophonic, egophony. See ægo phonic, ægophony.