I'm actually an advocate of selfishness, too, but when I say self centered I mean encapsulated in our own drama: neurotic. This is the reason people become very depressed and anxious. We need to serve others in order to feel fulfilled and have a sense of purpose. When we're all wound up in our own heads and the loop of our own drama, we're killing ourselves. Selfish, yes. One can be no other way. In order for us to be well we need community, connection, and purpose. You could say this is selfish if you want to. We do it because we want to be well and because we care about others. But self FIRST! See, there's a difference between greed and self absorption and "selfishness." Self first, yes. But if you're greedy and you don't have purpose YOU are not well. Connection, purpose produce healthy chemicals in the brain. When we don't have those things we don't get happy healthy chemicals. You could get them from making a lot of money, sure, because it's an accomplishment, but you'll probably be getting heavy doses of cortisol, too, if it's not something that enhances people's lives. One benefits oneself by serving others and belonging somewhere.