self preference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "self preference" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely understood.
It can be used in contexts discussing individual choices or inclinations, particularly in psychology or personal development discussions. Example: "In making decisions, it's important to consider self preference to ensure that choices align with one's values and desires."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Consider, he asks, the consequences of "the self-worship, the unjust self preference" nourished in boys growing up in male dominated households in which "by the mere fact of being born male he is by right the superior of all and every one of an entire half of the human race" (1869, 86 87).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bentham's answer, probably influenced by Hume's view of the matter, is that the self-preference principle is a sound generalisation.

SEP

In this respect, the validity of the "self-preference principle"—the assumption that self-interest is the motivation of all human action is questionable.

SEP

Yet the current proposed commitments would have the reverse effect and effectively legalise Google's abusive self-preference," President of the Federation of German Newspaper Publishers (BDZV), Helmut Heinen, said today.

TechCrunch

These types of evaluations, although informative on the partiality of users, cannot ensure a verifiable measure of the impacts of imagery on perception, as human judgement of self-preference and performance provides many opportunities for internal error and/or bias.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

However, if not all action is motivated by self-interest in the narrow or strict meaning of the term, then how far can the self-preference principle be considered a reliable guide for the legislator in constructing motives?

SEP

In Aquinas' classical view, one's reason (as distinct from some of one's customary ways of thinking) naturally understands the primary or basic goods as good for anyone, and further understands that it is good to participate in the many forms of friendship which require that one set aside all merely emotionally motivated self-preference.

SEP

In chapter IV of The Subjection of Women, Mill goes so far as to claim that "[a]ll the selfish propensities, the self-worship, the unjust self-preference, which exist among mankind, have their source and root in, and derive their principal nourishment from, the present constitution of the relation between men and women" (Mill, Subjection of Women, 86).

SEP

As he explained it in the Constitutional Code, even if the self-preference principle "held good in no more than a bare majority, of the whole number of instances, it would suffice for every practical purpose, in the character of a ground for all political arrangements" (1838 43, IX, 6).

SEP

The primary purpose of punishment thus can reasonably be to restore that disturbed balance by depriving convicted offenders of their unfairly gained advantage excess freedom of action by imposing upon them measures, punishments, whose precise purpose is to restrict their freedom of action, whether by fines or imprisonment, proportionately to the degree to which they indulged their self-preference.

SEP

Manipulation of search results, for self-serving preferencing and de-preferencing, in order to promote political friends and allies, and to harm or hide opponents and Google's own misdeeds, could still be a problem.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "personal inclination" or "individual bias" as alternatives to "self preference" if the intended meaning leans more towards inclination or potential bias.

Common error

Avoid using "self preference" when the intended meaning is clearly negative or implies harm to others. "Self preference" can be neutral, but using words like "selfishness" or "egoistic tendency" can better convey a negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

"Self preference" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the act or state of favoring oneself. Ludwig shows the phrase appears in contexts discussing motivations and biases.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "self preference" is a noun phrase indicating the act of prioritizing oneself. While grammatically acceptable, it is relatively rare and may benefit from clarification or replacement with synonyms like "personal inclination" or "individual bias" depending on the specific nuance intended. As Ludwig AI notes, its usage spans academic, news, and business contexts, but care should be taken to avoid confusion with selfishness. Due to the examples count, it is recommended to use "personal inclination"

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal inclination

Focuses on individual leanings or tendencies; emphasizes a subjective feeling.

individual bias

Highlights a predisposition or prejudice in favor of oneself.

subjective priority

Emphasizes the personal and non-objective nature of the ranking.

own volition

Highlights free will and a personal act of decision.

self-inclination

Emphasizes the internal source of the preference, which can imply a strong desire.

egoistic tendency

Highlights the ego as the cause for action.

selfish bent

Indicates a predisposition toward actions that benefit oneself, potentially at the expense of others.

self-centered choice

Emphasizes that the origin is the self.

personal favoritism

Suggests preferential treatment toward oneself, implying a potential unfairness.

self-serving interest

Highlights the interest that is served.

FAQs

What does "self preference" mean?

"Self preference" refers to prioritizing one's own desires, needs, or interests. It can be a neutral term, but can also suggest a bias or inclination towards oneself.

How can I use "self preference" in a sentence?

Example: "In relationships, finding a balance between accommodating others and respecting "personal inclination" is key."

What's the difference between "self preference" and selfishness?

"Self preference" is a general term for prioritizing oneself. Selfishness implies a disregard for others' well-being and often carries a negative connotation, which is not always the case with "self preference".

Are there synonyms for "self preference" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "individual bias", "personal inclination", or "subjective priority", depending on the context.