Freud Theory Course 2021: Seminar 5

Seminar 5: On Narcissism

Freud, S (1914) ‘On Narcissism: An Introduction’ The Pelican Freud Library, Vol.11:61 - 97.

Freud’s On Narcissism: An Introduction marks a major turning point in his theory of the mind. He introduces narcissism as a crucial developmental stage in which the child’s libido is invested primarily in the self rather than in external objects. Freud distinguishes primary narcissism, a universal and necessary phase of early life, from secondary narcissism, which occurs when libido withdraws from external relationships back into the ego, often seen in illness or retreat from reality. He argues that narcissism plays a central role in self‑esteem, ambition, and the formation of the ego ideal—the internal image of what one strives to become. Freud also explores how love relationships involve a balance between self‑directed and object‑directed libido, showing how some people love others who resemble themselves, while others love those who embody what they wish to be. Narcissism becomes essential for understanding phenomena such as megalomania, hypochondria, and the dynamics of identification. Ultimately, the paper reframes narcissism not as a pathology but as a foundational structure of psychic life, shaping both normal development and later disturbances.