Egoism Quote by Max Scheler
““It is precisely the essential feature of egoism that it does not apprehend the full value of the isolated self. The egoist sees himself only with regard to the others, as a member of society who wishes to possess and acquire more than the others. Self-directedness or other-directedness have no essential bearing on the specific quality of love or hatred. These acts are different in themselves, quite independently of their direction””
About This Quote
Source Book: Formalism of the Ethical Attitude, 1913
Egoism limits understanding of love and hatred by focusing only on self‑interest, ignoring deeper moral qualities.
In simple terms: Egoism narrows moral perception.
Recognize love and hatred beyond self‑interest.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- ethical debates
- personal relationships
- social policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can love exist without self‑interest?
- What role does self‑interest play in moral actions?
Egoism may have adaptive social functions.