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self-interest definition

self·-interest (-intrist, -intər ist)

noun

  1. one's own interest or advantage
  2. an exaggerated regard for this, esp. when at the expense of others

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

self-interest Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • perceive: Even more importantly, deep conflicts of value and perceived self-interest are at stake.

Converse of subject

  • motivate: Debate motivated by self-interest is better than no debate at all.

Adjective modifier

  • enlightened: In fact, " enlightened self-interest " is, I would argue, the goal to which modern British foreign policy must be directed.

Preposition: on

  • subject: Despite our obvious self-interests on the subject, our answer is always a qualified " yes " ?

Noun used with modifier

  • material: Certainly, most economic analysis is based on the self-interest hypothesis, which assumes that all people are exclusively motivated by their material self-interest.

Preposition: of

  • company: All we do leads back to the self-interest of the company.
self-interest usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

self-interest quotes

It is not a correct deduction from the Principles of Economics that enlightened self-interest always operates in the public interest† Experience does not show that individuals when they make up a social unit are always less clear-sighted than when they act separately.

-Keynes (of Tilton),John Maynard, 1st Baron

self-interest quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"self-interest." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/self-interest>

APA Style

self-interest. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/self-interest

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