(An Outline of a recorded lecture...by David H. Kessel)
Location and Date Given is unknown at this moment...attempting to find out...I have the recording, though
In this lecture Fromm relates an individual psychological phenomena (narcissism) to groups. He relates this concept to nationalism. Fromm is introduced as someone who is clearly aware of the current loneliness and isolation of man in his society.
HOW a man is related depends on the nature of that group
The latest (most recent) form of "group belonging" or "group sentiment" is NATIONALISM
-----is historically related to freedom and independence
-----involved the right of the citizen to express himself rationally and freely
THREE ASPECTS OF NATIONALISM
1. a specific sentiment of belonging with those who share the same language
2. these shared ideas are organized in a sovereign state which represents them
3. the sovereign state is also unified by a common economy
-----the state and economy are reciprocal & thus, can spawn a large physical power
Fromm says there is no doubt a great deal of positive value in Nationalism
-----IF it is seen as a feeling of interest and love of one’s nation
HOWEVER: Will emphasize the "negative" aspects
-----those Fromm calls "somewhat dangerous"
-----Clearest when the "love of nation" is pitted against the "love of humanity"
-------i.e. love of family vs "mankind"
Suggests we can understand this by understanding an individual psychological idea: NARCISSISM (Freud)
-----being totally concerned with only "self"
-----there is only one thing which is "real"
-----"reality" = one's OWN SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE
-------MY THOUGHT
-------MY FEAR
-------MY SADNESS
-----the "outside world" has no "weight"
In INFANCY/YOUTH: is NOT a pathologica1 phenomena
ADULTS: extreme narcissism is the "essence of insanity/psychosis
-----the outside world hardly EXISTS
-----all that exists is himself
i.e. Paranoia (half insanity )
-----is more than mere WORRY about something
-----is CONVINCED of something
-----YET: this does not conflict with, the laws of logic (possibilities)
-------takes "possibility" as "likely"
-----THUS: can’t be argued with
-------feeling IS reality
Cannot distinguish between "own reality" and "other’s reality"
-----"others" don’t exist for "own" except as as a symbol on which to transfer "own reality"
"Benign" VS "Malignant" Narcissism
-----Benign = proud of something "done" but yet still in touch with the world as the context in which it is done
-----Malignant = proud of himself AS HE IS, not of something clone
TRANSFERRING FROM INDIVIDUAL TO "SOCIAL (GROUP) NARCISSISM"
IF as a individual I say that myself, my family, etc. is the greatest or most wonderful
-----that all others are dumb, dirty, uneducated, a moral failure
-----THEN "you’d know where to send me"
BUT if I say my Nation, my Religion, my Race, my Political Creed are VASTLY SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER
-----AND others should use me as an example, if they are wise
-----THEN many would say I’m virtuous, a very religious man, very patriotic, very loyal
YET: BOTH are narcissistic
Social Narcissism is the compensation for MY feeling I’m NOT so worthy
-----IF my group is "wonderfu1"...
-------then I can vicarious1y become wonderful by making my GROUP the object of my narcissism
---------THUS: I derive t he SAME narcissistic satisfaction
TODAY: main objects of Group Narcissism is:
-----Nation
-----Race
-----Political Creed
17th Century: religion
-----groups (either society or a group within it) which is or feels most disadvantaged economically or culturally
-------will tend to feel the most intense forms of narcissism
-------a "one way" compensation
PATHOLOGY OF NARCISSISM
1. Lack of judgment and reason
-----capacity to see the world objectively
2. Antithesis of Love
-----greatest contradiction to love
-----Great "Humanistic" religions can be seen as calling for "overcoming your narcissism"
-------to love your neighbor, stranger, enemy...as yourself
3. "Wounds" inflicted to Narcissism
-----IF very Narcissistic: Criticism is reacted to:
-------A. extreme hostility/anger...or
-------B. depression
---------a "deflating...as if you were nothing
---------strength = inflated by narcissism
BECAUSE: one is somebody only to the degree one is interested in the world, to which one relates to the world
If my GROUP is never wrong, has no shortcomings
-----will be PROJECTION of all my defects on somebody else
-----Enemy is all bad and I'm all good
-----Projection makes the Projector "safe"
-------can continue with "picture of our own perfection"
TWO MOVEMENTS WHICH COUNTERACT NARCISSISM
1. a truly authentic religious attitude
2. a "self-critical" science
YET:
1. Much of religion has been a SOURCE of Narcissism
2. Science has largely been a narcissism of technique
Narcissistic Worship = of ideologies and our machines
