Malignant Narcissism & Our Undoing as a Species | FRANK YEOMANS
BorderlinerNotes・7 minutes read
Psychoanalysis delves into the death drive and human anxiety, while malignant narcissism leads to aggressive envy and societal manipulation, resulting in destructive outcomes and a prioritization of self-esteem over everything else, hindering efforts to address long-term risks like the climate crisis.
Insights
- The concept of the death drive in psychoanalysis suggests a paradoxical pull towards annihilation driven by human anxiety and avoidance of existential questions, challenging the assumption of a natural inclination to live.
- Malignant narcissism, rooted in feelings of inadequacy and emptiness, can lead to aggressive envy and a desire to triumph over others, manifesting at societal levels where powerful figures manipulate and ultimately destroy groups, emphasizing self-esteem over reality and fostering destructive behaviors.
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Recent questions
What is the death drive in psychoanalysis?
The death drive in psychoanalysis refers to a concept that seems contradictory to our natural instinct to live. It suggests a pull towards annihilation, driven by human anxiety and avoidance of real questions. This concept explores the idea that there is an inherent desire for destruction and self-sabotage within individuals, which can manifest in various ways.
What is malignant narcissism?
Malignant narcissism is a psychological condition characterized by individuals with an underlying sense of inadequacy and emptiness. This leads to aggressive envy towards others, finding satisfaction in triumphing over and causing suffering to them. It is a dangerous pathology that can result in destructive behaviors and a lack of empathy towards others.
How does malignant narcissism manifest at societal levels?
Malignant narcissism can manifest at societal levels when powerful individuals offer false promises to deprived masses. This can lead to a cult-like following where the narcissist controls and ultimately destroys the group. The underlying sense of inadequacy and emptiness in these individuals drives them to seek power and control over others, often at the expense of the well-being of the group.
What are the dangers of narcissism?
The dangers of narcissism lie in the prioritization of individual self-esteem over everything else. Narcissists are willing to bring down the world to escape humiliation, showing a disconnect from reality and aggression towards outside groups. This self-centered behavior can lead to destructive outcomes and harm to others in pursuit of maintaining their own self-image.
What challenges exist in preventing destructive developments related to narcissism?
Despite efforts to educate and appeal to reason, challenges exist in preventing destructive developments related to narcissism. The prevalence of raw emotions and the need for self-validation through vilifying others pose obstacles. Short memories and immediate needs often overshadow long-term risks like the climate crisis, making it difficult to address the root causes of destructive behaviors stemming from narcissistic tendencies.
Related videos
Prof. Sam Vaknin
Narcissist's Revenge: Signs YOU are in DANGER
TEDx Talks
Narcissism and Its Discontents | Ramani Durvasula | TEDxSedona
Matthew Hussey
The BIG SIGNS You're Dating a Narcissist! (Watch Out For This) | Matthew Hussey
Prof. Sam Vaknin
Covert Narcissist’s Sadistic Envy Fantasy (conference presentation)
BorderlinerNotes
The Malignant Narcissist's Internal World | FRANK YEOMANS
Summary
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"Dark Forces: Narcissism, Destruction, and Societal Manipulation"
- Psychoanalysis often discusses the death drive, which seems counterintuitive to our natural inclination to live, but historical and current events suggest a pull towards annihilation due to human anxiety and avoidance of real questions.
- Malignant narcissism involves individuals with an underlying sense of inadequacy and emptiness, leading to aggressive envy towards others, finding satisfaction in triumphing over and causing suffering to them.
- This pathology can manifest at societal levels, with powerful individuals offering false promises to deprived masses, leading to a cult-like following where the narcissist controls and ultimately destroys the group.
- The dangerous aspect of narcissism is the prioritization of individual self-esteem over everything else, even willing to bring down the world to escape humiliation, with a disconnect from reality and aggression towards outside groups.
- Despite efforts to educate and appeal to reason, the prevalence of raw emotions and the need for self-validation through vilifying others pose challenges in preventing destructive developments, with short memories and immediate needs often overshadowing long-term risks like the climate crisis.
