their capacity to empathize with the feelings and experiences of other people.

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Narcissism exists on a continuum; some of the milder forms of narcissism, such as
identifying
3:24
with an idealized self-image one creates on social media, are unhealthy, but relatively
3:29
benign.
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At the extreme end of the spectrum lies the pathology of malignant narcissism, in which
3:36
one identi es with an illusory self-image of moral purity.
3:41
Or as Peck explains:
3:42
“Utterly dedicated to preserving their self-image of perfection, [malignant narcissists] are
3:48
unceasingly engaged in the effort to maintain the appearance of moral purity…While
they
3:54
seem to lack any motivation to be good, they intensely desire to appear good.
4:00
Their ‘goodness’ is all on a level of pretense.
4:03
It is, in effect, a lie.
4:05
This is why they are the ‘people of the lie.’”
4:06
M. Scott Peck, People of the Lie Malignant narcissism is a defensive phenomenon
4:12
that is rooted in a deep fear of being inferior or inadequate, particularly in matters of
4:18
morality.
4:19
Due to childhood trauma, growing up with hyper-critical or narcissistic parents, or for
other reasons
4:24
of upbringing, socialization, or genetics, the malignant narcissist cannot acknowledge
4:30
that, like everyone else, they make mistakes, behave immorally, and possess a
potential
4:35
for evil that is rooted in human nature.
fi
4:38
Or as Peck writes:
4:39
“What is the cause of this arrogant self-image of perfection, this particularly malignant
4:45
type of narcissism?
4:46
Basically, it is fear.
4:48
[Malignant narcissists] are continually frightened that they will come face-to-face with
their
4:53
own evil…
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This terror is so chronic, so interwoven into the fabric of their being, that they may not
5:00
even feel it as such.
5:02
And if they could, their omnipresent narcissism will prohibit them from ever
acknowledging
5:06
it.”