self-interest
/'self'intristid/
Definition
Noun: 1. Concern for one's own personal advantage or benefit: A focus on what is advantageous or profitable for oneself. 2. The pursuit of one's own welfare, sometimes disregarding others: Acting based on personal gain, potentially without considering the effects on other people.
Examples of Usage
Advanced Usage
- "Enlightened self-interest": A philosophy or practice where acting to benefit others is seen as ultimately serving one's own long-term interests. It suggests that being cooperative and ethical is the most beneficial strategy for oneself in the long run.
- The company's charitable donations are not just altruism; they are a form of enlightened self-interest that builds a positive public image.
Variants and Related Words
- Self-interested (adjective): Characterized by concern for one's own advantage.
- He made a self-interested choice to support the policy that would lower his taxes.
- Self-serving (adjective): Having the same core meaning as "self-interested," but often with a stronger negative connotation of seeking gain in a way that is unfair or manipulative.
Synonyms
- Selfishness: A stronger, more negative term implying a lack of consideration for others.
- Egoism: A philosophical term for an ethical theory that places self-interest as the foundation of morality, or more generally, excessive concern for oneself.
- Self-seeking: The active pursuit of one's own interests, especially in a determined or opportunistic way.
Antonyms
- Altruism: The principle or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.
- Selflessness: The quality of being more concerned with the needs of others than with one's own.
- Generosity: The readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "To look out for number one": (Idiomatic) To prioritize one's own interests above all else. This is a colloquial expression for acting out of self-interest.
- In that competitive industry, you really have to look out for number one.
Noun
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concern for your own interests and welfare
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taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others
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