ONTOLOGICAL ESTEEM VS. NARCISSISTIC ESTEEM

Abstract

Instead of the diffuse and unclear concept of self-esteem we propose to distinguish here between ontological and narcissistic esteem. Both forms of esteem have an adaptive function, corresponding to different stages of moral development. Only deficits or excess in ontological or narcissistic esteem can be considered to have a pathological character. The effects of these deficits and compensation excesses and their impact on self-esteem are considered in this article and criteria to repair them therapeutically, are also offered.