Egotism

[africanclaudie]

Is there any way to make a totally egotistical person start caring about someone else?

[poppy1]

You mean other than themselves? Probably not! :dontknow:But, it would be worth the try if you could.

[Abrupt]

I don't think so.  I can't really imagine a situation that would force them to adopt an attitude that would lead them to such a position (because even if there were it would still likely be because of their egotism and thus sort of a reinforcement of it).  I guess there are varying types or sources of egotism or apparent egotism.  I know of idiopathic types but I have also seen the type of person that it was a front of egotism that was shielding a somewhat damaged person behind it -- but I don't know if that is actually considered egotism since it isn't when you get down to it.

[africanclaudie]

Thanks for the good explanation. I always believed that every person cares about at least one other person in some degree, but I have now met someone that is totally "me, me, me!" The mind boggles

[Falconer02]

don't think so.  I can't really imagine a situation that would force them to adopt an attitude that would lead them to such a position (because even if there were it would still likely be because of their egotism and thus sort of a reinforcement of it).  I guess there are varying types or sources of egotism or apparent egotism.  I know of idiopathic types but I have also seen the type of person that it was a front of egotism that was shielding a somewhat damaged person behind it -- but I don't know if that is actually considered egotism since it isn't when you get down to it.

I agree for the most part. I think if they're a friend, you can sit them down and discuss it with them. If you are careful with your words and manage to have them come out of that shell and explain themselves, I would not consider that egotism seeing how they care enough to open up to you. I have friends like this and understand that some have a few issues they're coping with (everything from growing up with an abusive parent to just mental disorders) so I just tolerate it when they get that way. However if they have no damaged infrastructure and are just being egotistical because they like to be a jerk, it's clobberin' tiiiiime!

[Abrupt]

I suppose all sociopaths fit the egotistical billing eh?  (note:  PC police now call sociopaths  as "someone with antisocial personality disorder" -- well honestly I don't know if it is due to PC but sounded like it to me) 

I actually know two people that are egotistical to the point that anyone would readily label them as such (one is to the degree that you could break a limb of yours and they could honestly say "that is nothing, I spilled a beer earlier" and totally believe it was worse than your injury).

[tzs]

That really depends on the person. If they have an ego, and they dont really have empathy for anyone, then I would say its hopeless. They have to hit rock bottom first, or have some kind of life changing event to chang their mind or something.

[falcon9]

However if they have no damaged infrastructure and are just being egotistical because they like to be a jerk, it's clobberin' tiiiiime!

An uncle of mine had a fitting country proverb; build an egotistical person a fire and they'll expect the warmth as a personal right - set an egotistical person on fire and they'll be warm for the rest of their life.

[africanclaudie]

Whahahaha.......good one!