Ideas In Psychoanalysis: Narcissism

'Ideas In Psychoanalysis' is a series of essays which explain psychoanalytical concepts, their relevance to everyday life and their ability to illuminate the nature of human society and culture.

Liking oneself is a precondition for liking others, but to love oneself is at best suspect, at worst, tragedy. This book traces the manifestation of this universal psychological phenomenon, from Ted Hughes' 'Ovid' to Freud and Melanie Klein. Pathological narcissism attempts to secure a base against trauma, but has the potential to nurture fundamental loneliness.