To see what started this, refer to here: http://sciforums.com/showthread.php?p=668552#post668552

Discuss.

So you did make a topic out of it...

Anyway, I think that self-love is healthy, to some extend at least, it is just part of self-preservation, one of our basic needs.

But when it turns into obsession with ones self and the resulting isolation from other, then I think it is carried too far. That is where it borders on narcissism.
And I do not think that anyone has an advantage in this situation. Furthermore I think that the obsession with the self will result in isolation, and I doubt that anyone really desires this.


Same reading material I posted in the picture thread, short explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism

I'm a big fan of self-love. It helps relieve stress....

Uh anyways, Narcissism is a term that is always abused and has become quite meaningless. It is a question of degree. When does one cease having a healthy self-esteem and become a narcissist? When and why does being a narcissist become a 'bad' thing? Is it being an asshole? Does that mean all narcissists are assholes and vice-versa?

A little narcissism is required and noble if you wish to rise above the mediocrity of the mundane masses. At some point, I think it is healthy to fully delve into narcissism if only to then return to the world with a more solid understanding of who you are.

I think this is the question from the series "on the scale from 1 to 10 specify...". So I think Healthy love to yourself is around 7, Narcissism is 10, and low self esteam <5. I mean, it all comes from concentration on your needs.