Selfishness is a primary or sole concern with one's own welfare.

It is considered by many to be a negative character trait; in particular, it is traditionally proscribed by most religions. Some, however, view it as positive.

One positive view of selfishness is called rational selfishness. This view is often attributed to Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy.

In philosophy, the term egoism is often analogous to selfishness.