There are three types of selfishness and two of them are healthy

There are three types of selfishness and each of them expresses different values. Human beings are basically selfish and this is not bad because in principle this is a fundamental mechanism of self-affirmation and self-preservation absolutely necessary for survival. In fact, there are very positive forms of selfishness.

The human being comes into the world equipped to think of himself before anyone else.. This is because this behavior is part of a survival mechanism. Sociability too and that is why there are types of selfishness and cooperation that manage to combine both aspects in a harmonious way.

Human beings need to find some form of profit in everything they do, including the most generous acts.. This is not good or bad in itself, but simply natural. Trying to eliminate this tendency, as well as taking it to the extreme, are inconvenient behaviors. We will soon look at the different types of selfishness to better understand why we say this.

1. Egocentric selfishness

Egocentric selfishness is that which leads to developing behaviors fundamentally aimed at satisfying needs and desires personal. In this modality, only individual well-being predominates, while there is very little interest in the expectations, desires or needs of others.

Others only get some attention if, in one way or another, it generates some benefit staff. It does not mean that a person is “heartless”, but it is very difficult to expect understanding or solidarity from someone like that. It is not “evil” that inhabits them, but rather shortcomings, fears and frustrations that they are often not aware of.

The predominant note in those who have this type of selfishness is victimization and reactivity. They will tend to blame everyone else for what happens to them and will react destructively to the observations or demands of others. Another of their distinctive features is that they always call others selfish.

2. Conscious selfishness

The conscious is one of the types of healthy egoism and It is born from the conviction that each person is responsible for what happens to them. and, therefore, he has the opportunity to be the protagonist of his own reality. To this extent, he neither expects others to take care of what concerns himself nor does he take care of what others are capable of doing.

In this case, A person does not feel uncomfortable if they put their own needs before those of others.. She is willing to show solidarity with others, as long as this does not harm her own interests. Likewise, the help they provide is punctual and well-defined.

This kind of selfishness It is typical of those who have self-esteem strong and know themselves well. They could appear somewhat cold in the eyes of others, but their attitude is healthy, as it promotes autonomy and independence in relationships with others.

3. Altruistic, another type of healthy selfishness

Altruism is another type of healthy selfishness. It seems somewhat contradictory to talk about selfishness and altruism in the same sentence, but that is not the case. It is a more evolved form of conscious egoism and corresponds to those who have achieved a healthy balance between respect for their own and consideration for others..

In this form of selfishness there is great satisfaction in giving to others. This is not the satisfaction that comes from pleasing a very demanding conscience, but rather a natural and spontaneous attitude that flows on its own and generates joy in those who practice it. This attitude is, so to speak, “universal”, that is, to any other human being.

These types of people have understood that, if they do good to themselves, they find greater well-being. However, By doing good to others too, that well-being is multiplied and it acquires the added bonus that it not only involves growing individually, but growing with others. The most characteristic thing about this selfishness is the naturalness with which it is displayed.

Sometimes there are manifestations of all three types of selfishness in a person. Just because one of them predominates does not mean that in certain circumstances the other two are not present. What is true is that those who achieve the altruistic aspect tend to have greater stability and inner peace.

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