Egotism is the doctrine that individual self-interest is the appropriate motive and valid end of all conscious action. Egotism manifests itself as excessive
rationalization,
denial, &/or
narcissism, as well as the inordinate concern for oneself or a tendency to speak or write of oneself boastfully and at great length. Egotism may also be coupled with an inflated sense of one's own importance, at the denial of others. This
conceit is a character trait describing a person who
acts to gain
values in an amount greater than that of the values he/she gives to others. Egotism is often accomplished by exploiting the
altruism,
irrationality and ignorance of others, as well as utilizing
coercive force and/or
fraud.
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