Are we slaves to ego?

Question

Just recently I have been aware that most of my decisions, actions and thoughts are directed by the need to protect or boost the ego.

This has made me ask questions:

Is humanity enslaved to the demands of the ego?

What would we strive for if not to feed our egos?

What direction would the evolution of humanity take if not for the manifestation of the ego?

Is there a universal ego?

Would a widespread consciousness of the ego change humanity for the better or worse?

I know there are alot of questions within this one - but I'm interested to hear your thoughts as I have seen some good answers so far on various topics.

Thinking of Freudian's concept of ego. (see below)

'According to Freud, the ego is an aspect of the subject that emerges from the id -- the biological, inherited, unconscious source of sexual drives, instincts, and irrational impulses. The ego develops out of the id's interaction with the external world. It is produced from the non-biological (social and familial) forces brought to bear on one's biological development and functions as an intermediary between the demands of the id and the external world.'

http://cepa.newschool.edu/~quigleyt/vcs/psychoanalysis.html

Answer 1

Potentially.

I like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

The Ego evolved into being for a reason, didn't it? Egocentrism is an important part of survival in the young, and how we learn to deal with our fallibilities (maybe, if we are lucky)...it places them in situations that potentially makes them grow into adults. Yeah, its also evident in late adulthood too. But, that's usually when we are trying to fight for our right to keep our driver's license-a subconscious protection, learning, and thinking mechanism.

No, its all about me. Yes, a society can be egocentric.

Widespread consciousness of the Ego doesn't exist? Research a few more lifespan development theorists and wait a couple of years.:-)

Oh, and by the way, I do think that it is associated biologically as well as socially. Preschooler cognition-Piaget called it egocentric-is highly influenced by the amazing transformation and growth in brain development---there are a lot of chemicals at play during the primary egocentric years in our lives...i.e., beginning through the adolescent years.

Answer 2

Ego is a psychological term with a specific meaning - I'm not sure that's exactly what you mean. Sounds like you mean one's sense of worth, or power, or recognition. And to that, the answer is no. We go through phases when that's top priority, but then once you arrive at some position in life, where you are well respected or regarded, then ego drops away and you become more concerned with other things. Also, if you have love, your need for ego drops dramatically.

Answer 3

That's a pretty deep question, but I'll give it a whirl.

Ego is virtually necessary for us to achieve and even to survive, but intelligent people usually can learn how to balance ego with other drives.

This comes with maturity. I think once we become parents we learn to put our own ego aside and become defensive about our children.

I don't believe civilization could have developed as it has without some ego. Since we do have egos it is difficult to speculate on what life would be like without them.

I don't think there is a universal ego, but I could be wrong. I think the more we are aware of ourselves and what drives us the healthier we can be.

So, to simply answer your question, I think some people might be slaves to ego, but many--perhaps even most--of us are not.

Good question. I may lie awake thinking about it.

Answer 4

I would say that yes, many of us are driven by our egos, some of us more so than others. A certain level of self love (technically "narcissism") is healthy and necessary to function, but many people take it way too far. That's the difference between confidence and arrogance.

I don't know exactly how we would be different did we not have the drive to feed our egos, but that's irrelevant. I don't know exactly what you mean by "universal ego", and I don't think a "widespread consciousness" would help much to be honest. Plenty of people are overly egotistical and they know it, they just don't consider it a problem.

Answer 5

What is ego, after all?
Whether false prestige!, then I don't have it.
Is it self respect, then every one should have it.
Ego is many times generated because of misunderstanding, then it can be solved by more talking. Hence people should not hesitate in talking to others even if they are not comfortable.
If ego is because of some feeling like some one is higher than other, then only the god can seve them. Whether any body agree?

Answer 6

No I do not believe we are slaves to ego... In the cogito to think means to know we exist. Being egomaniac is a normal characteristic of life..the essence of living. If you have no ego sense than u don't think or u dont even exist. I think this is the ego u were talking about.

Ego in psychology can balance cosmic force of id and superego which we all should have. This defines us as humans.
Anyway I'm NOT a slave to my ego, however, I'm a slave to my eggo so 'Letgo my eggo'

Answer 7

The ego is you, it is your personality, it is what focuses here in physical reality and enables you to function here. It is perfectly normal that it strives to survive and only thinkgs about itself. It would be very hard to survive if it didn't do that. We are by necessity slaves to our egos. It is not something selfish and undesirable.

Answer 8

I disagree. I think we are salves (if need be to categorize) to the Id.

Film to watch regarding your question;

The Forbidden Planet circa 1955

Answer 9

men are slaves to ego ,not women

Answer 10

i thought most men are slaves to testosterone

and women to _ _ _