In earlier cultural epochs, many people derived their self-worth from their relationship with God, or from their ability to be a winner in the commercial marketplace. But in a therapeutic culture people’s sense of self-worth depends on their subjective feelings about themselves. Do I feel good about myself? From the start, many writers noticed that this ethos often turned people into fragile narcissists. It pushed them in on themselves, made them self-absorbed, craving public affirmation so they could feel good about themselves.

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Persons: Philip Rieff, Christopher Lasch, Tom Wolfe, Lasch, ” Lasch, ”