Egoism

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Egoism \E"go*ism\, n. [F. ['e]go["i]sme, fr. L. -ego I. See {I},
     and cf. {Egotism}.]
     1. (Philos.) The doctrine of certain extreme adherents or
        disciples of Descartes and Johann Gottlieb Fichte, which
        finds all the elements of knowledge in the ego and the
        relations which it implies or provides for.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Excessive love and thought of self; the habit of regarding
        one's self as the center of every interest; selfishness;
        -- opposed to {altruism}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  egoism
       n : attempting to get personal recognition for yourself
           (especially by unacceptable means) [syn: {egocentrism}, {self-interest},
            {self-concern}, {self-centeredness}] [ant: {altruism}]