The theory in Ethics which places man's summum bonum in
self. The correlative of altruism, or the theory which places our own
greatest happiness in making others happy. Egoism is selfishness pure,
altruism is selfish benevolence. “Egoist,” a disciple of egoism.
“To say that each individual shall reap the benefits brought to him
by his own powers ... is to enunciate egoism as an ultimate principle
of conduct.” —Spencer: Data of Ethics, p. 189.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
