Philosophy For Our Times Narcissism and self-love | Simon Blackburn
Jan 16, 2024
Renowned philosopher Simon Blackburn explores the difference between narcissism and self-love, the complexities of emotional reactions to self-love, and the distinction between conceit and vanity. He also delves into the concept of narcissism through the myth of Narcissus and discusses different forms of self-love and how they intersect with our relationships with others.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Book's Origin
- Simon Blackburn's book, "Mirror, Mirror," was inspired by the L'Oréal slogan, "Because You're Worth It."
- The slogan's frequent appearances provoked a strong negative reaction in him, prompting his exploration of self-love.
Nuances of Self-Love
- Words like narcissism, conceit, vanity, pride, and self-esteem are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings.
- Conceit, a precursor to narcissism, leads to self-sufficiency and disregard for others' opinions.
Vanity vs. Conceit
- Philosopher Freddie Ayer distinguished between vanity and conceit, claiming to be vain but not conceited.
- Blackburn suggests vanity is a greed for applause, while conceit disregards others' views.