e g o t i s t i c a l

egoism |ˈēgōˌizəm|
noun Ethics
an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.
another term for egotism.

egotism |ˈēgəˌtizəm|
noun
the practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an undue sense of self-importance.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from French gosme and modern Latin egoismus, from Latin ego I.

USAGE The words egoism and egotism are frequently confused, as though interchangeable, but there are distinctions worth noting. Both words derive from Latin: ego (I), the first-person singular pronoun. Egotism, the more commonly used term, denotes an excessive sense of self-importance, too-frequent use of the word 'I,' and general arrogance and boastfulness. Egoism, a more subtle term, is perhaps best left to ethicists, for whom it denotes a view or theory of moral behavior in which self-interest is the root of moral conduct. An egoist, then, might devote considerable attention to introspection, but could be modest about it, whereas an egotist would have an exaggerated sense of the importance of his or her self-analysis, and would have to tell everyone.