What Happened to Personal Salvation?

By: Chris Valletta

Christopher Lasch wrote a groundbreaking book titled The Culture of Narcissism in 1979, being the first true writer to psychoanalyze the spiritual crisis of the 1970s, in addition to his take on the narcissistic culture that has developed in the past three decades (70s, 80s, and 90s). The spiritual crisis of the 1970s sets the tone for Lasch's analysis, defined by Nerio's notes as: "The loss of a sense of historical time, of being part of a generation linked to earlier generations and to posterity. With this loss comes a sense of caring only for oneself." The 1970s is the first time that this sense of loss starts to take place due in part to the political unrest of the 1960s. Lasch was able to draw the majority of his work based off social scientists and psychoanalysts who had been studying the effect that culture has been having on the personality of individuals. Lasch argues that narcissism is an inner emptiness that is inside everyone, but only brought out through certain social conditions.

The two forms of narcissism are primary and secondary. Lasch tends to focus on primary narcissism, which is similar to Freud's theory of Thanatos, or the death instinct, since it consists of a desire to return to a state of non-existence. This theory by Lasch is referred to as the "Nirvana Principle" and is quite intriguing to me. When I first thought about it, the concept did not make sense to me, however then I thought about the many instances of suicide that we have in our society and therefore, I can conclude there is some truth to it. However, I'm still trying to figure out what triggers this emotion in humans, but perhaps it is simply an innate desire of human nature that we cannot control. It is also apparent in the constant need for humans to be scared with thrills, such as the feeling of closeness to death by for example, riding roller coasters, or climbing mountain peaks.

Another interesting note from Lasch was the line that "Maturity lies in acceptance of our limits" (242). This has been an issue that I have been grappling with ever since freshman year of college. Now I am a senior and am finally starting to realize that I do have limits and I can no longer put myself through doing so many activities, while still trying to be a student, and also trying to have fun during college at the same time. Is this what Lasch is describing as maturity? When you decide for you what is best for your well-being and to put that first on your list? This corresponds well with the culture of narcissism, however this would not be considered to be a severe form of selfishness in any way. This discussion of limitations also correspond well with the role of technology on the society: as Lasch describes it as "Expressing a collective revolt against the limitations of the human existence" (243). This also makes sense because technologies sole purpose is to make our lives easier and more convenient for our movements in day-to-day life.

According to Lasch, the new narcissist is no longer concerned with guilt, but with anxiety. This is something I can certainly relate to since I am person who does experience much anxiety because I feel as though there is always so much to accomplish in such little time that it never ends in all areas of life. This follows with the narcissists constant need for self-accomplishment and the ability to be successful in business or the work-place, yet they suffer deeply on the inside. Lasch also says "People today hunger not for personal salvation but for the feeling, the momentary illusion, of personal well-being" (7). For example, if I am studying very hard for a test and set aside all my emotions to study and then do well on that test, I will get immediate satisfaction for doing well on that test, yet this is just an illusion of personal well-being since none of the issues I was having were directly addressed.

Lasch brought up many points in The Culture of Narcissism that correspond directly to events and feelings that are currently going on in my life. He effectively used analysis to clearly come up with simple theories that seem to hold true for many people in many different situations. The path of narcissism that has developed over the past three decades was unprecedented and we can only wonder where this culture will lead us next. I personally cannot see an end to this type of culture of American society and see a continuing trend toward this constant need to get ahead for oneself to be successful in the American system. It is a culture that almost leaves us no choice but to fulfill excessive needs just to survive.