Narcissism vs. Nihilism — What's the Difference?

Lack of empathy and a sense of entitlement.

Associated with pessimism about general aspects of life.

Excessive admiration of oneself.

Philosophical view that negates traditional beliefs.

A psychological condition marked by self-centeredness.

Rejection of all religious and moral principles.

A trait leading to a constant need for praise.

Belief that life has no intrinsic meaning or value.

A focus on personal appearance and prestige.

Embracement of anarchy and skepticism.

Narcissism is the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one's idealised self-image and attributes. The term originated from Greek mythology, where a young man named Narcissus fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water.

Nihilism (; from Latin nihil 'nothing') is a philosophy, or family of views within philosophy, expressing negation (i.e., denial of) towards general aspects of life that are widely accepted within humanity as objectively real, such as knowledge, existence, and the meaning of life. Different nihilist positions hold variously that human values are baseless, that life is meaningless, that knowledge is impossible, or that some set of entities do not exist, are meaningless, or pointless.The study of nihilism may regard it as merely a label that has been applied to various separate philosophies, or as a distinct historical concept arising out of nominalism, skepticism, and philosophical pessimism, as well as possibly out of Christianity itself.

Excessive preoccupation with or admiration of oneself.

(Philosophy) The doctrine that nothing actually exists or that existence or values are meaningless.

A personality disorder characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Also called narcissistic personality disorder.

Relentless negativity or cynicism suggesting an absence of values or beliefs

Pleasure derived from contemplation or admiration of one's own body or self, considered in psychoanalytic theory to be a fixation on or a regression to an infantile stage of development.

Political belief or action that advocates or commits violence or terrorism without discernible constructive goals.

Excessive love of oneself.

Also Nihilism A diffuse, revolutionary movement of mid-19th-century Russia that scorned authority and tradition and believed in reason, materialism, and radical change in society and government through terrorism and assassination.

An exceptional interest in and admiration for oneself.

(Psychiatry) A delusion, experienced in some mental disorders, that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist.

An exceptional interest in and admiration for yourself

The view that all endeavours are devoid of objective meaning.

The rejection of, or opposition to, religious beliefs, (inherent or objective) moral principles, legal rules, etc., often due to the view that life is meaningless (sense 1).

The rejection of non-proven or non-rationalized assertions in the social and political spheres of society.

A delusion that oneself or the world, or parts thereof, have ceased to exist.

Alternative case form of Nihilism

A doctrine grounded on the negation of one or more meaningful aspects of life; in particular, the view that nothing in the world actually exists.

(countable) Something that is regarded as meaningless.

Nothingness; nihility.

The doctrine that nothing can be known; scepticism as to all knowledge and all reality.

The theories and practices of the Nihilists.

A revolutionary doctrine that advocates destruction of the social system for its own sake

The delusion that things (or everything, including the self) do not exist; a sense that everything is unreal

Complete denial of all established authority and institutions

Narcissism focuses on the self, while nihilism addresses broader existential questions.

While unusual, it’s possible for someone to exhibit narcissistic traits while also adhering to nihilistic beliefs.

Narcissism can lead to damaging relationships and a lack of genuine connections due to self-centered behavior.

Nihilism is the philosophical belief that life and traditional values inherently lack meaning.

Both are often viewed negatively, but for different reasons: narcissism for its impact on relationships and nihilism for its perceived pessimism.

Psychological therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy can help address and mitigate some aspects of narcissism.

While generally viewed as negative, both can challenge individuals and societies to reassess values and behaviors, potentially leading to growth or change.

Cultural values influence the acceptance and interpretation of narcissism and nihilism, with some cultures being more tolerant of self-promotion or skepticism than others.

Narcissism is defined by an excessive self-focus and admiration for oneself.

In a professional setting, narcissism can both aid and hinder success depending on whether the self-confidence perceived positively or the arrogance negatively.

Philosophy explores nihilism as an existential question, while psychology examines narcissism as a personality feature.

Nihilism can result in feelings of despair, detachment from societal goals, and a sense of purposelessness.

Yes, nihilism can influence political beliefs, often leading to skepticism or rejection of traditional political systems.

Engaging in meaningful activities, therapy, and philosophical exploration can help manage nihilistic feelings.

Yes, many historical figures have shown traits of either narcissism or nihilism, often affecting their legacies and historical interpretations.