Self-interested

Describes a person, action, or motive primarily concerned with their own advantage, benefit, or welfare, often to the exclusion or disregard of others' needs or interests. This behavior typically involves prioritizing personal gain, material possessions, or advancement above collective well-being or altruistic considerations. A self-interested approach often relies on calculations of potential rewards and risks, shaping decisions to maximize personal profit or minimize personal loss. Such behavior is not necessarily inherently malicious, but it can be perceived as such when it undermines the interests of others or contributes to inequitable outcomes.

Self-interested meaning with examples

• The CEO's decisions were driven by a clear self-interested motive, prioritizing shareholder value and personal compensation over employee welfare. Despite record profits, the company faced significant layoffs. His focus on maximizing his own financial gain, at the expense of his staff's security, highlighted the potential negative consequences of purely self-interested leadership, impacting the company's culture and long-term stability.
• Negotiations between the two countries stalled due to the self-interested positions of their representatives. Each side refused to compromise on key issues, seeking to secure the most favorable terms for themselves, and ultimately reaching an impasse. Their commitment to national interests, devoid of empathy, led to a fractured and unproductive dialogue. This lack of cooperation proved detrimental to all parties involved, deepening the divide.
• The investor's self-interested gamble on the emerging tech market, though risky, promised enormous returns if successful. His motivation was purely focused on financial enrichment, ignoring the potential for financial ruin and the impact his actions had on other players in the market. This approach, although sometimes generating wealth, also carried significant risk, leading to market instability and the potential for widespread financial losses.
• Critics accused the politician of a self-interested stance on environmental policies, pointing to their substantial investments in the polluting industries they were supposed to regulate. This highlighted the dangers of personal financial gains influencing public decisions, threatening the planet for short term personal gain. Their perceived dishonesty and conflict of interest undermined public trust, and ultimately hurt the politician's credibility.
• The student’s reluctance to help his struggling classmate stemmed from a self-interested reluctance to sacrifice his own study time. Focused only on maximizing his grades, he chose to isolate himself and work individually, avoiding any assistance to his peers, and prioritizing his own performance. This behavior ultimately fostered a sense of isolation and created a competitive atmosphere that was not conducive to learning and improvement.