self-interest

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

self-interest
    n 1: taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the
         consequences for others [syn: {opportunism}, {self-
         interest}, {self-seeking}, {expedience}]
    2: concern for your own interests and welfare [syn: {egoism},
       {egocentrism}, {self-interest}, {self-concern}, {self-
       centeredness}] [ant: {altruism}, {selflessness}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Self-interest \Self`-in"ter*est\, n.
   Private interest; the interest or advantage of one's self.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

43 Moby Thesaurus words for "self-interest":
      acquisitiveness, autism, careerism, ego, ego trip, egocentricity,
      egocentrism, egoism, egoisticalness, egotism, egotisticalness,
      graspingness, greed, individualism, interest, narcissism,
      personal aims, personal ambition, personal desires, personalism,
      possessiveness, privatism, remoteness, self-absorption,
      self-admiration, self-advancement, self-centeredness,
      self-centerment, self-consideration, self-containment,
      self-devotion, self-esteem, self-indulgence, self-interestedness,
      self-jealousy, self-occupation, self-pleasing, self-seeking,
      self-serving, self-solicitude, self-sufficiency, selfishness,
      selfism

[email protected]