[ad. F. egoïsme, ad. mod.L. egoismus, f. L. ego I: see -ISM. Cf. EGOMISM.]
1. Metaph. The belief, on the part of an individual, that there is no proof that anything exists but his own mind; chiefly applied to philosophical systems supposed by their adversaries logically to imply this conclusion.
[1722. C. M. Pfaff (title), De Egoismo, nova philosophica hæresi.]
1785. Reid, Int. Powers, II. x. 285. I am left alone in that forlorn state of egoism.
1803. Edin. Rev., I. 279. The egoism of Berkeley and Hume is largely incorporated in his system.
2. Ethics. The theory that regards self-interest as the foundation of morality. Also, in practical sense: Regard to one’s own interest, as the supreme guiding principle of action; systematic selfishness. (In recent use opposed to altruism.)
1800. Hist. Europe, in Ann. Reg., 234/1. Affection … was lost in selfishness or according to their new word Egoism.
1825. T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. 103. A contrast of his egoism (for he was beneficed on them), with the generous abandonment of rights by the other members of the Assembly.
1840. Gladstone, Ch. Princ., 463. That spirit of petty egoism which is sure to prevail whenever the pressure of high Christian motives is removed.
1850. Carlyle, Latter-day Pamph., i. 9. The mature man, hardened into sceptical egoism, knows no monition but that of his own frigid cautions.
1860. Mill, Repr. Govt. (1865), 19/2. Religion in this shape is quite consistent with the most selfish and contracted egoism.
1873. H. Spencer, Stud. Sociol., viii. 198. The promptings of egoism are duly restrained by regard for others.
b. (See quot.)
1882. Haeckel, in Nature, XXVI. 540. The natural instinct of self-preservation, Egoism.
c. pl. Selfish aims or purposes; instances of selfishness.
1795. T. Jefferson, Writ., Wks. 1859, IV. 115. It must be so extensive as that local egoisms may never reach its greater part.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 90. Cease to be a hollow sounding-shell of hearsays, egoisms, purblind dilettantisms.
1870. J. Stirling, Mill on Trades Un., in Recess Stud., viii. 309. The internecine strife of anarchical egoisms.
3. In matters of opinion: a. The habit of looking upon all questions chiefly in their relations to oneself. b. Excessive exaltation of one’s own opinion; self-opinionatedness.
1840. Gladstone, Ch. Princ., 134. He is deprived of every shadow of a plea to impute fanaticism or any form of egoism.
1852. Robertson, Lect. (1858), ii. 169. That egoism of man … can … read in the planets only prophecies of himself!
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 177. Every narrow provincialism whether of egoism or tradition.
4. = EGOTISM 1.
1807. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 69. Pardon me these egoisms.
1870. Gladstone, Prim. Hom. (1878), 148. Never once … does Odusseus indulge in the slightest egoism.
1870. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. xxxiv. 4. Note the egoism of this verse and of those preceding it.
5. Hindu Philosophy. Used as transl. of Skr. abhimâna, by some rendered ‘self-consciousness.’
1862. F. Hall, Hindu Philos. Syst., 45. The organ of egoism.
1878. Cowell, Aphorisms of Saṇdila, 110. The Sán-khya considers ‘intellect’ ‘egoism,’ and ‘mind’ as quite distinct from each other.
