Menu Search

On narcissism: the mirror and the self. (2013) People from Tiger Woods to the Obamas are routinely denounced for narcissism. But are there good as well as bad types of self-love?

“It is the fashion to see people increasingly as one of two types – a narcissist, or the victim of one – so perhaps it is worth asking precisely what is meant by the word. Its usage is puritanical: it is intended to inflict shame

 

Rachel Cusk
New Statesman.com 03 August 2013

It is the fashion to see people increasingly as one of two types – a narcissist, or the victim of one – so perhaps it is worth asking precisely what is meant by the word.

Narcissism, in the case of Obama and other political leaders, is a catch-all term for nearly every quality a person might require in order to become, for instance, president of the United States: ambition, determination, vision, self-belief.

But Obama, in the eyes of his critics, also qualifies as another kind of narcissist. “Perhaps not surprisingly for a man whose principal accomplishment before becoming president was to write two autobiographies,” writes one journalist, “Obama has seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time talking about himself. And it’s not just Obama, but the first lady, too.”

….Whether or not “narcissism” is misunderstood and misused, its usage is puritanical: it is intended to inflict shame.

View the full article here: On narcissism: the mirror and the self

Got an opinion? Leave a comment below.

Leave a comment

Back to the top
We aim to have healthy debate. But we won't accept comments that are unsubstantiated, unnecessarily abusive or may expose the Trust in any way. All contributions are moderated before being published.

Comments are closed.