selfishly

Selfishly is an adverb describing actions taken to advance one's own interests with little or no regard for others. It conveys a judgment that the behavior prioritizes personal gain over fairness or concern for others. In everyday language, it often appears in discussions of moral conduct, social norms, and interpersonal decisions, and it may be used to criticize acts that harm or neglect others for personal advantage.

Etymology and usage: Selfishly derives from the adjective selfish, formed from self + -ish, with the adverbial suffix -ly. It is typically used to modify verbs (eat, hoard, refuse) or phrases such as "act selfishly" or "behave selfishly." While the word carries a negative valence in most moral contexts, its precise connotation can depend on intent and consequences, and it is sometimes encountered in debates about self-interest and ethics.

In ethics, selfishness is debated: some traditions condemn it as morally wrong, while certain schools of thought, such as rational egoism or enlightened self-interest, argue that pursuing one's own good can align with the common good. In evolutionary biology and psychology, self-serving behavior can be explained by mechanisms favoring gene propagation or individual advantage, though cooperation and altruism also play important roles. Cultural norms influence judgments of selfishness, with some contexts permitting pragmatic self-care while condemning exploitative behavior.

Related terms include selfishness (noun), selfish (adjective), egoism, altruism, and enlightened self-interest.