Individualism vs. Selfishness — What's the Difference?

Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology and social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and to value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group while opposing external interference upon one's own interests by society or institutions such as the government.

Selfishness is being concerned excessively or exclusively, for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others.Selfishness is the opposite of altruism or selflessness; and has also been contrasted (as by C. S. Lewis) with self-centeredness.

Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence.

Concerned chiefly or excessively with oneself, and having little regard for others

Acts or an act based on this belief.

Showing or arising from an excessive concern with oneself and a lack of concern for others

A doctrine advocating freedom from government regulation in the pursuit of a person's economic goals.

The quality of being selfish; the condition of putting one's own interests before those of others.

A doctrine holding that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the state or social group.

The quality or state of being selfish; exclusive regard to one's own interest or happiness; that supreme self-love or self-preference which leads a person to direct his purposes to the advancement of his own interest, power, or happiness, without regarding those of others.

The quality of being an individual; individuality.

Stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others

An individual characteristic; a quirk.

The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.

The moral stance, political philosophy, or social outlook that promotes independence and self-reliance of individual people, while opposing the interference with each person's choices by society, the state, or any other group or institution.

(logic) The doctrine that only individual things are real.

(philosophy) The doctrine that nothing exists but the individual self.

The quality of being individual; individuality; personality.

An excessive or exclusive regard to one's personal interest; self-interest; selfishness.

The principle, policy, or practice of maintaining individuality, or independence of the individual, in action; the theory or practice of maintaining the independence of individual initiative, action, and interests, as in industrial organization or in government.

The quality of being individual;

A belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence

The doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs