Narcissism--quite a subject, and off the subject of economics (maybe!). He's certainly as thorough and specific about how a narcissist really "feels" inside---how they genuinely see (or don't see)other people, how solely all about the "usefulness" to them (or lack thereof) that others have for them. It certainly makes it clear that narcissim is truly and seriously "disordered", and how "normal" the surface of these people can seem. But...I think he also idealizes it and the "suitable" companions of a narcissist, which isn't surprising, given that he is one. As people say, one of the most insidious traits of a narcissist is their tendancy to create a narrative that "works" for them, even though it is actually quite dishonest, and then insist the others around them "believe" it. Which then makes me wary of just trusting a narcissist's view of themselves, even if he APPEARS TO BE trying to be coldly objective and is not exclusively flattering to himself. I mean---he even points it out in a rather taunting way---I've TOLD you I'm a narcissist and you are still reading my book---think about it! Ick. Talk about turning other people's reality upside down! It's like he's trying to make you think you're really a dummy for trusting his book. That in and of itself gives you a glimpse into how "they" work.

Posted by: annette on August 18, 2005 9:56 AM

Bryan Caplan is attacking (albeit jestingly) a straw man -- that's what his version of Homo Oeconomicus really is. What self-serious critics of modern economics pretend to not realize is that the standard consumer choice framework enables you to account for remorse, altruism, addiction, etc. The question is where, when and how much they are relevant to economic behavior. For instance, strictly egotistic individuals (which homines oeconomici are often taken to be) would normally prefer to die in debt -- thus, intergenerational models have to account for altruism, and they successfully do so by treating children as consumption or investment goods. You don't really have to invent new frameworks when you can fit so much into the old ones.

Posted by: Alexei on August 19, 2005 3:18 AM






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