A person is self-interested, in the narrow sense of selish or egoistic, if her most fundamental ends are focused on herself, such as her own health, wealth, social position, influence, or prestige (TJ 111; LHPP 58; JF 62). Someone is self-interested in a broader sense if she regards her aims and aspirations, whether selfish or not, as “worthy of recognition” and “deserving satisfaction” (TJ 110). More specifically, Rawls proposes that the interests of a self, which are not necessarily interests in oneself, are not merely determined by her tastes and preferences or her pains and pleasures. Her interests are instead determined by her conception of the good, which is the consistent and coherent plan of life she would choose under favorable conditions, with full information after careful reflection (TJ 358).

Egoism is one conception of the good, but personal ties, affections, and concern for the interests of others are likely to figure in the rational life plans of most people. Indeed egoism, according to Rawls, is incompatible with friendship and mutual trust because these relationships presuppose caring about others for their own sake. Egoism is also inconsistent with resentment and guilt because these moral feelings presuppose acceptance of principles of right or justice, which are necessarily general and universal (TJ 427). Egoism in its various forms is not a moral doctrine either because it fails to satisfy these formal constraints of morality and justice.