Perhaps self interest is the wrong term. Self indulgence to the exclusion of concern for others. Unbridled hedonism? Greed? Want or wantonness? Amoral or immoral self pursuits? I'm hitting all around it but I'm sure you get my drift.

Great Scott! Who wrote "Ivanhoe"? I'll tell you if you can tell me who in the dickens wrote "A Tale of Two Cities"! (Groan)