Is Narcissism Evil? | Are Narcissists Evil?

This video attempts to answer the question: Is narcissism evil? This is an interesting question, it's kind of a blend of philosophy and science, and I've heard this question in many different forms: Are narcissists evil?, Are narcissists bad people?, Does evil lead to narcissism?, and Does narcissism lead to evil? There a lot of different questions, but largely have the same theme: looking at this potential relationship between narcissism and evil.

[k.r.murphy]

To intentionally injure a person, whether for personal gain, pleasure or to satisfy a need without remorse, is evil. To do it repeatedly, after the consequences are explained, is evil. To not care how one’s words or actions affect a person is evil. To habitually lie, deceive or manipulate another person for personal gain is evil. They may not be aware that they are evil. Maybe that’s all they’ve known but it is still evil and should be avoided at all costs.

[miknes]

If somebody becomes happy by making other people feel bad, then I would say that's evil.

[Elia-ysrc]

Envious, hateful, incapable of empathy, vengeful, distractive, abusive, ungrateful, manipulative . In the context of good or evil, those qualities are evil.

[irmalebron]

I’m 51 and just now discovered both parents are narcissist, no one can tell me that my mother knowing my father rapped me for years and chose to not protect me and blame a child is flat out EVIL! Some may not believe there are evil people but there are. If you ask my father flat out if he rapped me and molested me since the age of 3, he would answer what he answered me, I asked for it, then walked away and he continues to blame me.

[bettyhazel]

Evil is defined by INTENTION of the heart. Most narcissistic acts are evil because the intention is to do harm to others for their own gain. The acts can be good, bad, or neutral. I had a narcissistic friend who was very nice....nice for self gain, to manipulate and do harm...evil intentions.

[mjblue]

For those of us who have been the survivors of "Narcissists"...we don't have to go by the "term" evil. We go by the FEELING we get when dealing with the Narcissist. They are very toxic, period. When you get this feeling...get out...get away and NO CONTACT.

[Pets-n-Treats]

Anyone who's ever been in a relationship with a narcissist would say yes, definitely yes.

[tazeenkhan]

When you hurt other people and don't care about it at all it's being evil

[CynthiaYarbrough]

Intentionally hurting others is evil behavior… PERIOD!

[curtissclark]

If the narcissist is not evil, then I don't know what evil is. Compulsive lying, cheating, manipulative, thieves, low to no empathy, self destructive, no mercy, no remorse, no loyalty, no fidelity, and no real love is what makes them evil. They have a choice and they always choose evil!

[penelopelambson]

My definition of evil is “ a knowing and purposeful intent to do harm, or a conscious disregard for harm caused”.
All narcissists I’ve encountered fall under this definition.
I like M Scott Peck’s description of and discussion on narcissism and evil in his book “The People of the Lie”.

[averydavis]

Anyone who has had one of these people in their lives, ruining their lives, knows the answer to this question. Once you know one in person you see things in a different way from those that haven’t known one well.

[realverdade]

A narcissist once said to me "I do anything to get what I want". I asked: "Anything, really? Even hurting people?". The answer was "Yes".

[pearlyq]

People may not chose their personality, but ALL people chose their ACTIONS!

[jenniferwills]

It is evil to its core. When living with a malignant narcissist, you cant see it any other way. I look at all of the people my ex has hurt on purpose...evil

[toneman]

We can never give a free pass to bad behavior of an adult Narcissist.

[greenchoice]

Yes they are evil and they enjoy it, and I have witnessed the satisfaction they get from their evil actions

[lisabeaumont]

Perhaps a better question, Dr Grande, would be, “Are narcissists malevolent by definition?” and then define malevolence as gaining pleasure from causing pain to others.

[mattfitzpatrick]

Thanks Dr. Grande for your balanced approaches to these tough questions. Regardless of what people think is evil, I think it's important to remember Dr. King's quote, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

[christinabaltodano]

I love your insight, Dr. Grande. You are a wonderful expert in narcissism. You have taught me a lot. I believe humans, as a majority, feel that when another person intentionally causes pain and suffering, gaslights, abuses, cheats, and goes even further up the spectrum into psychopathy that this is an evil person. This is what society deems unacceptable. Yes, you are absolutely correct to not give the person a label as you are a doctor of psychology and a therapist. That makes sense. At the same time, you know that these people are aware of what they are doing and get joy from causing injuries to others. If a person knowingly and maliciously does harm, this behaviour is evil. Narcissists destroy people. They smirk with glee as they watch and even record another's physical and emotional pain. They brag about it. They run smear campaigns. Narcissists destroy lives. They cause suicides. They even kill, at times. Their wrath is so painful and damaging. 100% evil. No matter the cause of the disorder, the effects are devastating. Thank you so much for your valuable education. You are very much appreciated by all of us who have suffered. Please keep posting videos.💜