Meanings
- uncountablehuman sciencesThe doctrine that it is rational to act in one's own self-interest.
This emotional feat does not seem to me possible and therefore I must admit that a man who embraces the principle of Rational Egoism cuts himself off from the special pleasure that attends this absolute sacrifice and suppression of self.
1886, J. Martineau, Types of Ethical Theory, Vol. 2, 2nd rev. Ed., Macmillan and Co., New York, p 3431 more example
A few like the Stoics could conceive of a general or collective utility more like the Epicureans could develop a rational egoism and at least make some effort to practice it but to the majority educated under the older religions the failure of those religions meant the substitution of an irrational egoism.
1893, Arthur T. Hadley, The Yale Review, Vol 1. May 1892 – Feb. 1893, Ginn & Co., New York, p 363Synonyms: rational selfishness
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe doctrine that it is rational to act in one's own self-interest.
Cite this entry
rational egoism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rational%20egoism
“rational egoism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rational%20egoism. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rational egoism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rational%20egoism.
Source: rational egoism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.