Abstract:The primary aims of this article are to describe and make clear the philosophically related but distinct notions of selfishness and self-centeredness and show how the latter in particular relates to other characteristically East Asian ethical concerns about the self, virtue, spontaneity, and happiness. We work toward these aims by relying upon examples drawn from the neo-Confucian tradition and specifically from their discussion of self-centered desires (siyu 私欲). As will become clear, the neo-Confucian view, like other South and East Asian conceptions of self-centeredness, has both a metaphysical and an ethical component. The former part of this multi-faceted conception makes the package less plausible to many modern people who may still find the general idea and corresponding approach appealing and even inspirational. We shall, therefore, devote the latter sections of this chapter to describing modern variations on the neo-Confucian conception of self-centeredness that can stand apart and independent of their original metaphysical foundation, show how these offer plausible and powerful perspectives on a range of moral challenges, and present appealing ideals that can ground distinctive forms of life.

中文翻译：

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自私和以自我为中心

摘要：本文的主要目的是描述和阐明哲学上相关但不同的自私和以自我为中心的概念，并展示后者如何与其他东亚特有的关于自我、美德、自发性和自发性的伦理问题相关联。幸福。我们通过借鉴新儒家传统中的例子，特别是他们对以自我为中心的欲望（siyu私欲）的讨论来实现这些目标。很明显，新儒家的观点与其他南亚和东亚的自我中心概念一样，既有形而上学的成分，也有伦理成分。这种多方面概念的前一部分使许多现代人觉得这个包不太可信，他们可能仍然觉得一般的想法和相应的方法很有吸引力，甚至是鼓舞人心的。我们应该，