Quote:
Originally Posted by Hudini  No, that is you giving it a negative connotation. It has no inherent context, and as such allows for free use in whatever way. "Selfish" does not necessarily mean lack of consideration for others unless you propose that through context using other words within a sentence.
selfish Adjective
1. caring too much about oneself and not enough about others
2. (of behaviour or attitude) motivated by self-interest
The first definition is wishy-washy ("too much" is something that we all have our own definition for ). #2 is what I mean, and I hope this clears it up for you.
I say that altruism is dead, and it is clearly driven by selfish reasons- not necessarily a bad thing (unless put in that context.)
We all do things for our own gain... The mere existence of the concept of altruism only exists as a reward for behavior, the conclusion of which is decided by societal boundries.
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if you call someone selfish, itll be taken as an insult, not a compliment. Using the word selfish because someone does something that makes them feel good isnt really the right word to use.You can twist it up however you like, but selfish is generally used as a negative term.
self?ish
??[sel-fish]
–adjective
1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.
Origin:
1630–40; self + -ish 1
Related forms:
self?ish?ly, adverb
self?ish?ness, noun
Synonyms:
1. self-interested, self-seeking, egoistic; illiberal, parsimonious, stingy.