Abstract

This paper examines the conceptual evolution of egoism and related concepts through the lens of intellectual history and contemporary philosophy. Rather than positing a deliberate distortion of meaning, it traces how understandings of self-interest, egoism, and individualism have transformed across different philosophical traditions and historical periods. Beginning with an analysis of egoism's philosophical lineage—from Rousseau's distinction between *amour de soi* and *amour propre* to contemporary psychological frameworks—the paper argues that egoism is best understood as a relational concept that emerges specifically in contexts of interpersonal conflict. It distinguishes between egoism, egocentrism, and narcissism, situating each within relevant psychological and philosophical frameworks. The analysis engages with diverse philosophical perspectives, including virtue ethics, care ethics, and capabilities approaches, to develop a nuanced understanding of how individual flourishing relates to collective wellbeing. By contextualizing contemporary individualism within broader historical developments, the paper moves beyond simplistic moral judgments about self-interest toward a more integrated ethical framework that recognizes both the value of self-concern and our fundamental interdependence.