THE FUSE

Narcissism has travelled a long intellectual journey. Its origins lie in the Greek myth of Narcissus, the beautiful young man who fell in love with his own reflection, unable to detach himself from the image staring back. Centuries later, Sigmund Freud repurposed the concept into a psychological framework, arguing that narcissism was not merely vanity but a fundamental component of human development. For Freud, a certain degree of self-love was not pathological but necessary; without it, individuals would lack the confidence and agency to function in the world.