[potlatch]

I am not sure selfishness is the right word to use.

I agree with you. I don't equate 'self preservation' with selfishness.

All definitions of "selfish' include the words, "without regard for others".

[Raymann]

All definitions of "selfish' include the words, "without regard for others".

And what's wrong with that? When I left the office today for lunch I passed by at least three homeless people. I could have taken a smaller lunch, honestly I could lose the weight, and given them the money. But I walked on like I'm sure most of you did.

Or look at it this way, when you see the starving children on TV and they tell you that for only $1 a day you could save their lives, are you being selfish by not sending in the money?

What the author’s point is is simple: Live your own life, period. Both he and I are Objectivists, the concept of violating another individual rights is virtually incomprehensible to us. But so is living for another person. If you want to give away your wealth, fine. If you want to keep it, that’s fine too but it’s all your choice. Our definition of selfishness is the opposite of altruism which is living of others. If it makes you feel good to give all your money away, then it is selfish to do so. If you give away your money because you feel your morally obligated, then that’s altruism and that is evil.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Selfishness as you said, is in spite of others. Striving honorably for the sustenance and well-being and security of one’s family is not selfish in the bad sense, nor evil.

Jealousy is a protectiveness about one’s rightful property or relationships and not necessarily evil. God, we are told, is jealous.

Envy, as contrasted with jealousy, craves something rightfully belonging to or in relationship with another; someone else’s home, car or wife, for example.

[freekitty]

Those are the words I was looking for. Thank you.