Reflections on Heinz Kohut’s concept of narcissism

There are surprising parallels between Heinz Kohut’s theories of narcissism and many Jungian concepts. These similarities, most striking in Kohut’s last book, in which the Self is defined as “the center of the psychological universe”, are an incentive to compare the two thinkers. The conclusions Kohut reaches seem to be the product of his own observations, with no reference to Jung. A clinical vignette illustrates how his subtle comments can be drawn upon in the practice of analytical psychology. The author of the essay goes on to suggest examining the taboos covering the many narcissistic demands of today’s society, and lastly, touches on the difficulties the “grandiose Self” inflicts on the analyst.