Jag brukar skilja på själviskhet och egoism:
http://www.m-w.com/
Main Entry: self·ish
Pronunciation: 'sel-fish
Function: adjective
1 : concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others
2 : arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others <a selfish act>
- self·ish·ly adverb
- self·ish·ness noun
Main Entry: ego·ism
Pronunciation: 'E-g&-"wi-z&m also 'e-
Function: noun
1 a : a doctrine that individual self-interest is the actual motive of all conscious action b : a doctrine that individual self-interest is the valid end of all actions
2 : excessive concern for oneself with or without exaggerated feelings of self-importance -- compare EGOTISM 2
Det jag anser vara den viktiga skillnaden är hur själviskhet är att man utför saker för sig själv "without regard for others". Egoism i sig självt, enligt mig, kan mycket väl innefatta att hjälpa andra men att man inser att man gör det för att man mår bra av det själv.
"According to your sympathy, you will take pleasure in your own happiness or in the happiness of other people; but it is always your own happiness you seek. The most profound egoist may be the most complete altruist; but he knows that his altruism is, at the bottom, nothing but self-indulgence."
Personligen kalalr jag mig egoist.