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.
Self-love can have both positive and negative aspects, challenging the notion that it is always detrimental.
Vanity and pride have complex variations, with one approaching conceit and the other being a healthy sense of self-esteem and pleasure in well-done work.
Deep dives
Controversial take on self-love
The podcast episode explores the concept of self-love and its potential dangers. The speaker, Simon Blackburn, offers a unique perspective, suggesting that self-love can also have positive aspects. He challenges the notion that self-love is always detrimental, highlighting the importance of striking a balance. Blackburn discusses how different generations and the rise of social media have influenced our perception of self-love.
Vanity and its complexities
Blackburn delves into the complexities of vanity, conceit, and pride. He differentiates between two polarities of vanity – one approaching conceit and the other a greed for admiration from others. Blackburn explores the attractiveness of haughty behaviors typically seen on catwalks, noting the paradoxical allure. He delves into the Greek myth of Narcissus and its symbolism of obsessive self-love, highlighting the self-nullifying nature of excessive self-concern.
The nuances of self-esteem and pride
The speaker elucidates the nuances of self-esteem and pride. He explains how self-esteem acts as a safeguard against letting oneself down or losing credibility in other people's eyes. Proper pride, such as taking pleasure in well-done work, is seen as a virtue. However, Blackburn notes that pride can turn into conceit when it becomes indifferent to the views of others or obsessively seeks validation without considering the quality of achievements. He emphasizes the need to exercise self-control and avoid excessive self-concern.
From books to podcasts, we are now told to embrace the idea of ‘self-love’. But are we creating a generation of narcissists? Join renowned philosopher Simon Blackburn to unpack the uses and abuses of loving ourselves.
Author of Think and Truth: A guide for the perplexed, Simon Blackburn has worked to bring philosophy to a wider audience. He was Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge and Vice President of the British Humanist Association.