Narcissism vs. Egocentrism (or Egoism)

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of egoism, tracing its origins and impact on society. It highlights the rise of narcissism and the decline in empathy, as evidenced by sociological studies. Drawing from Kabbalah, it explains the nature of human desires and their fleeting fulfillment, suggesting that true satisfaction lies in transcending egoism. The script advocates for a shift in intention, proposing that by perceiving others as extensions of ourselves, we can achieve a higher form of pleasure and fulfillment.

Takeaways

• 🌱 **Egoism Origin**: The concept of egoism is rooted in the Latin word 'ego', which signifies self-centered behavior prioritizing one's own benefit over others.
• 📈 **Narcissism Trend**: Research by Jean Twenge indicates a 70% increase in narcissism among students over the past 25 years, reflecting an inflated self-esteem often disconnected from reality.
• 🔍 **Empathy Decline**: Mark Davis's empathy test results show a 40% decrease in sympathy levels compared to the 1980s and 1990s, suggesting a generational decrease in sensitivity to others' issues.
• 🌐 **Desire Dynamics**: Kabbalah explains that egoism is based on the desire to fulfill oneself, with fulfillment being temporary and leading to a continuous pursuit of higher quality pleasures.
• 💔 **Consequences of Fulfillment**: The temporary nature of fulfillment leaves individuals feeling devastated, which paradoxically fuels a greater desire for pleasure, perpetuating dissatisfaction.
• 🏛️ **Environmental Influence**: Desires are shaped by the environment, with societal values like money, power, and knowledge cultivating specific desires in individuals.
• 🧘 **Desire Nullification**: Kabbalah suggests that nullifying desires can reduce suffering, though in modern times, this is challenging due to the ever-growing nature of egoism.
• 🤔 **Entitlement to Pleasure**: Many people feel entitled to pleasure, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment, as seen in the high divorce rates despite optimistic views at marriage.
• 🔄 **Desire as Essence**: Desire is an inherent part of human nature, ranging from basic needs to social ambitions, and is not inherently good or bad but rather how it is implemented.
• 💖 **Intention Inversion**: To rise above egoism, one should change their intention, perceiving others as extensions of oneself, which can lead to actions that genuinely fulfill others' needs.
• 🌟 **Perfect Pleasure**: The ultimate pleasure, according to Kabbalah, comes from using one's desires to fulfill others, creating a cycle of infinite fulfillment and mutual satisfaction.

Q & A

What does the term 'egoism' originate from and what does it signify?

The term 'egoism' comes from the Latin word 'ego,' which means 'I,' signifying a person's behavior when they think only of their own benefit without considering others.

What is the mythological origin of the term 'narcissism'?

The term 'narcissism' originates from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a handsome young man who fell in love with his own reflection and was transformed into a flower named after him.

According to Gene Twangy's research, what is the trend in narcissism levels among students over the past 25 years?

Gene Twangy's research from the University of San Diego indicates that the level of narcissism among students has increased by 70 percent over the past 25 years.

What is the general trend in empathy levels among students, as shown by Mark Davis' empathy test?

Mark Davis' empathy test results over 30 years with 13,700 students show that levels of sympathy have decreased by 40 percent compared to the 1980s and 1990s.

How does Kabbalah describe the basis of egoism?

Kabbalah describes the basis of egoism as the desire to fill oneself in every possible way.

What are the characteristics of desire fulfillment according to Kabbalah?

According to Kabbalah, desire fulfillment is temporary, higher quality pleasures last longer, the disappearance of fulfillment leads to devastation, and desires are controlled by the environment.

How can one reduce suffering according to Kabbalah?

Kabbalah suggests that if desires can be nullified, then suffering can be reduced, although it acknowledges that egoism grows and is impossible to extinguish completely.

What is the societal role in cultivating desires?

Society cultivates social desires in a person, such as the desire for money, power, and knowledge.

What is the perspective of Kabbalah on the implementation of desire?

Kabbalah suggests that desire by itself is neither good nor bad, but the problem lies in how it is implemented, often at the expense of others, which is termed as 'healthy egoism.'

How does the script suggest we should deal with our egoism?

The script suggests that instead of eliminating egoism, we should rise above it by changing our intention to love our neighbor as ourselves, feeling them as we feel ourselves.

What is the secret to perfect pleasure according to the script?

The secret to perfect pleasure is to use the force of our desire to fulfill the other person's needs because we feel them as we feel ourselves, leading to an infinitely fulfilled desire.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 The Growth of Egoism and Narcissism

This paragraph delves into the concept of egoism, tracing its origins to the Latin word 'ego' and its evolution through generations to become a pervasive characteristic of modern society. It contrasts egoism with narcissism, a term derived from the Greek myth of Narcissus, to illustrate the inflated self-love that often disconnects individuals from reality. The script cites research by sociologist Jean Twenge, indicating a 70% increase in narcissism among students over the past 25 years and a 40% decrease in empathy. It also explores the Kabbalistic perspective on egoism as a desire for self-fulfillment, which is fleeting and leads to a cycle of dissatisfaction and pursuit of new pleasures. The paragraph concludes with the suggestion that while desires are inherent and not inherently negative, the way they are implemented, often at the expense of others, is what constitutes 'healthy egoism', yet it results in unhappiness.

05:03

🔄 Transforming Egoism Through Intention

The second paragraph discusses the transformation of egoism from a self-centered drive to a force for good through the alteration of intention. It suggests that while desires are powerful and inherent, they can be channeled positively by perceiving others as extensions of oneself. This shift in perception leads to actions that are not based on what one thinks the other person needs, but rather on what they truly desire, as one would want for themselves. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of changing one's intention rather than eliminating desires, proposing a model where a strong desire is paired with an intention to love one's neighbor as oneself. This approach is said to lead to a perfect pleasure where one's desire is not only fulfilled but also grows infinitely, aligning with Kabbalistic teachings.

Keywords

💡Egoism

Egoism is the self-centered pursuit of one's own interests without regard for others. In the script, egoism is described as a growing force in society, with each generation becoming less considerate of others. It is linked to the rise of narcissism and is discussed as a fundamental aspect of human nature that needs to be managed rather than eliminated.

💡Narcissism

Narcissism is characterized by an excessive self-love and inflated self-esteem, often disconnected from reality. The term originates from the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. In the video, narcissism is presented as a 'virus' that has been increasing among students, as evidenced by research showing a 70% increase over the past 25 years.

💡Empathy

Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. The script discusses a decline in empathy levels, with a 40% decrease in sympathy among students compared to the 1980s and 1990s. This decrease is measured using Mark Davis's empathy test, highlighting a trend of reduced sensitivity to others' problems.

💡Kabbalah

Kabbalah is a form of Jewish mysticism that offers spiritual insights into human nature and the universe. In the video, Kabbalah is used to explain the nature of egoism and desire, suggesting that desires are fleeting and that true fulfillment comes from transcending one's own needs to consider others.

💡Desire

Desire is a fundamental aspect of human nature, ranging from basic needs like food and sleep to more complex social desires such as wealth, glory, and knowledge. The script explains that desires are not inherently good or bad but become problematic when pursued at the expense of others, leading to dissatisfaction and a constant pursuit of new pleasures.

💡Fulfillment

Fulfillment in the context of the video refers to the temporary satisfaction derived from achieving a desire. It is described as being short-lived, with the higher quality of pleasure, such as fame, lasting longer than basic pleasures like food. The disappearance of fulfillment is said to lead to a desire for more pleasure, perpetuating the cycle of dissatisfaction.

💡Intention

Intention, as discussed in the script, is the purpose behind an action. The video suggests that changing one's intention from self-centered desires to loving one's neighbor as oneself can lead to a more profound and fulfilling experience. This shift in intention is key to transcending egoism and achieving a higher form of pleasure.

💡Divorce

Divorce is mentioned in the video as an example of the consequences of unchecked egoism and desire. It is stated that two out of five marriages in the Western world end in divorce, which can be seen as a result of individuals prioritizing their own desires over the needs of their partners.

💡Suffering

Suffering in the video is associated with the unending pursuit of desires and the inevitable disappointment that follows when these desires are not fulfilled. Kabbalah suggests that by nullifying desires, one can reduce suffering, but it also acknowledges that this is difficult to achieve in modern society.

💡Meditation

Meditation is presented as a potential method to control or nullify desires, allowing individuals to rise above egoism. The script mentions that immersing oneself in meditation or retreating to a monastery can help, but it also acknowledges that these practices may not be as effective in today's society.

💡Pleasure

Pleasure is discussed in the video as a driving force behind desires and a source of both satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The pursuit of pleasure is seen as a natural part of human nature, but the video suggests that true pleasure can be achieved by shifting one's intention to consider the needs of others.

Highlights

Egoism is a driving force of nature, originating from the Latin word 'ego' meaning 'I'.

Narcissism, or excessive self-love, is linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus who fell in love with his own reflection.

Research by Gene Twangy shows a 70% increase in narcissism among students over the past 25 years.

Empathy levels have decreased by 40% compared to the 1980s and 1990s, according to Mark Davis' empathy test.

Kabbalah suggests that egoism is rooted in the desire to fill oneself in every possible way.

Desire fulfillment is temporary and quickly disappears, leading to a constant pursuit of new pleasures.

Higher quality pleasures, such as fame, last longer than lower quality ones like food.

Unfulfilled desires can lead to feelings of devastation, fueling a cycle of wanting more pleasure.

Desires are shaped and controlled by the environment, with society cultivating desires for money, power, and knowledge.

Kabbalah posits that nullifying desires can reduce suffering, though it acknowledges the difficulty of completely extinguishing egoism.

People often feel entitled to pleasure, which can contribute to high divorce rates in the Western world.

Desire is an essential part of human nature, ranging from basic needs like food and sleep to social desires for wealth and glory.

Desire itself is neutral; the challenge lies in how it is implemented and often at the expense of others.

The pursuit of pleasure often results in dissatisfaction and a continuous search for new sources of fulfillment.

Changing one's intention, rather than eliminating desire, can lead to a more fulfilling and empathetic approach to life.

Kabbalah teaches that by perceiving others as ourselves, we can use our desires to fulfill them in a way that brings perfect pleasure.

The secret to perfect pleasure is to feel others' needs as our own, using our desires to fulfill them authentically.

Transcripts

[Music]

egoism is a driving force of nature the

term egoism comes from the latin word

ego which means i signifying a person's

behavior such as when he thinks only of

his own benefit without considering

others our egoism is constantly growing

from generation to generation we are

less and less considerate of other

people the virus of narcissism

narcissism is excessive self-love

inflated self-esteem which in most cases

has nothing to do with reality

the term comes from the greek myth of

narcissus a handsome young man who did

not notice anyone but himself he

rejected the love of the nymph echo and

eventually unrequitedly fell in love

with his own reflection and turned into

a flower named after him according to

the research of sociologist gene twangy

from university of san diego over the

past 25 years the level of narcissism

among students has increased by 70

percent less sympathy these are the

results of research conducted using mark

davis empathy test

during 30 years 13 700 students were

tested the results showed that to date

levels of sympathy have decreased by 40

percent compared to the 80s and 90s

every year students become less and less

sensitive to the problems of others

kabbalah says that the basis of egoism

is the desire the desire to fill oneself

in every way possible

let's see how our desire works

one fulfillment even if we have invested

a lot of effort to achieve it it is felt

only for a short time and then

disappears

two the higher the quality of pleasure

the longer it lasts

for example the pleasure from fame lasts

longer than the pleasure from food

because it is higher in quality three

the disappearance of fulfillment leaves

us feeling doubly devastated

this is in order for a person to want

even more pleasure until he realizes

that it is impossible to fulfill himself

and consequently gets completely

disappointed in his egoism four desires

are controlled only by the environment

it is society that cultivates social

desires in a person money power and

knowledge five if desires can be

nullified then the suffering can be

reduced one can immerse oneself in

meditation or retire to a monastery

however today this doesn't help much

according to kabbalah egoism grows and

it is impossible to extinguish it we

have to work with it

6. a person feels that he is entitled to

pleasure two out of five marriages in

the western world end in divorce yet if

you ask newlyweds what their chances of

failure are almost all of them will say

that they are slim

desire is our essence are material that

begins from simple needs such as food

and sleep and ends with social ones such

as desires for wealth glory and

knowledge

desire by itself is neither good or bad

the problem is how to implement it and

we implement it at the expense of others

this is called healthy egoism

everything would be fine but eventually

we are unhappy nevertheless

in diving to the bottom of pleasure we

bring up more gravel than pearls honored

de balzac one does not die with half

one's wish in one's hand midrash rabbah

kohelet all this is the result of the

way we are arranged the fulfillment

kills the desire itself the results are

constant dissatisfaction and the pursuit

of new pleasures what can we do we can't

change the desire to enjoy

it is necessary to change the intention

namely to invert our own perception of

the other person to feel him as

ourselves from within

and already from this new sensation

various courses of action will be

unfolding

we should try not to eliminate our

egoism but rather just to rise above it

that is the scheme is as follows inside

there is a desire which is huge powerful

and ours and above it we build an

intention to love your neighbor as

yourself

it turns out that we use all the force

of our desire to fill the other

at that we do not do for him what we

think he needs or help him because we

enjoy it otherwise we would not be

helping him

we do exactly what he wants he that is

so because we feel him as we feel

ourselves and so we continue each one in

regards to everyone else

this is the secret of the perfect

pleasure to which we all aspire our

desire does not diminish but on the

contrary grows and gets infinitely

fulfilled

this is what kabbalah teaches

[Music]

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