Trump’s egoism

I recently read an article in which Donald Trump, a US
Republican presidential nominee, was described as “the egotistical billionaire”.

Trump may well be egotistical but in keeping with the orientation of most conservative Republicans he is probably egoistical; there is a distinction, not only of spelling.

Egotism is an exaggerated opinion of oneself, whereas egoism is an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.

In contrast, progressive Democrats are most likely to have an altruistic frame of mind that has regard for others as a principle of action.

This difference, although recently blurred, is currently coming into sharp focus on both sides of the Atlantic.

Geoff Naylor

Colden Common

Winchester, Hampshire