Superficially Selfish?

At this point in the novel, I am not fully sure we can determine McMurphy's true motives on the ward. While he undeniably acts in his own interests on several occasions, he oftentimes benefits other patients as well. I would call McMurphy selfish only if he consiously disregarded or took advantage of other patients to benefit himself. McMurphy seems selfish because he assumes that other patients share his interests. This is clearly not the case, but rather than taking advantage of other characters, he empowers them. McMurphy empowers Chief Bromden in particular, as shown by his reflection after the fishing trip.

"I noticed vaguely that I was getting so's I could see some good in the life around me. McMurphy was teaching me. I was feeling better than I'd remembered feeling since I was a kid, when everything was good and the land was still singing kids' poetry to me."

Bromden clearly feels that McMurphy had reminded him of the joy in life. He even references his childhood, saying that he feels better than he can ever remember feeling. McMurphy's actions may seem selfish superficially, but he ultimately has a positive influnce on the other patients.