Abstract

FERRARI, Carlos Augusto. Fanaticism, hatred, and death narcissism. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2019, vol.53, n.1, pp.93-106. ISSN 0486-641X.

The ghosts of intolerance and radicalism once again come to haunt us. In an attempt to understand fanaticism within a psychoanalytic approach, we examine the role of hatred in the object relations between individuals, and therefore also in culture, as a modulating element of this shift toward intolerance in the 2000s. Ideas of Israeli author Amos Oz, selected from his essay "On the nature of fanaticism" (2011), are used as a clinical element. The following factors are addressed from a metapsychological perspective: (a) narcissism; (b) primary masochism and sadism; and (c) relations between the ego and a cruel superego, with an emphasis on the possible influence of these factors on the genesis of fanatical thinking. Also examined is the sublimatory potential of empathy toward the supposed enemy, as an element that can relativize fanaticism, such as when using humor.

Keywords : fanaticism; hatred; narcissism; death narcissism.

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