Hubris
Hubris is an ancient Greek concept that denotes excessive pride and an inflated sense of self-worth, often leading individuals to believe they are equal to the gods. This character flaw is marked by a conviction that one can manipulate destiny or rise above the constraints of human limitations. In Greek culture, hubris was considered shameful and was thought to attract divine punishment, particularly from Nemesis, the goddess of retribution. The idea of hubris is often illustrated in Greek mythology through stories like that of Narcissus, who becomes so enamored with his own reflection that he neglects reality, and Icarus, whose disregard for his father's warnings leads to his demise.
In contemporary contexts, hubris is linked to narcissism, characterized by a lack of humility, an inability to accept criticism, and a distorted self-image. Individuals displaying hubris often engage in self-centered behaviors, seeking validation while dismissing the perspectives of others. Some psychologists propose that hubris may be a personality disorder emerging from power and influence, referred to as hubris syndrome. This concept remains prevalent in literature, where prideful characters frequently face humbling experiences, underscoring the importance of self-awareness and the perils of overconfidence.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Hubris
Hubris is an ancient Greek concept that refers to people who believe themselves to be the equals of gods. It was characterized by excessive pride, an inflated sense of self-worth, and a belief that an individual can escape or alter his or her destiny. Hubris was considered extremely shameful, and it was often thought to be punishable by the gods.
In modern terms, hubris is associated with delusional pride. Individuals with excessive hubris have an inflated view of their self-worth and competence. They believe themselves above the criticism of their peers and often react negatively when presented with their own failings. Hubris is often associated with narcissism, or excessive interest in oneself.
Background
The culture of ancient Greece had a profound impact on the Western world. The teachings of ancient Greek thinkers such as Sophocles, Plato, and Aristotle eventually became the foundation of Western philosophy. Ancient Greek art, architecture, and writings continue to be appreciated in the modern age.
Many Greek city-states had extremely high standards for personal behavior, conduct, and honor. They idolized their deities, and they considered many of their historic heroes to be minor gods. They strove to emulate those who contributed to their society and shamed those who could not.
To the ancient Greeks, hubris was a character flaw that involved the desire to be godlike. Those who suffered from hubris believed that they held the potential to be equal to the gods. For this reason, these people believed that they were inherently better than their contemporaries were. They were extremely prideful, and they often held an unshakable belief in their own self-righteousness. They could also be cruel, and many of them enjoyed showing off their power for its own sake.
The Greek idea of hubris was best understood in contrast with its opposite: sophrosyne. The Greeks considered sophrosyne to be the key to happiness. This concept included traits like purity, moderation, and self-control. People who exemplified sophrosyne also tended to be humble and kind.
Overview
Greek literature explores the idea of hubris in several tales. The story of Narcissus tells the tale of the young son of two mythical deities. Narcissus is extremely proud and loves himself above all others. One day, Narcissus sees his own reflection in a pool. He fails to realize that what he sees is only a reflection, and he quickly falls in love with himself. He becomes so fixated on his own reflection that he refuses to leave the pool. Over time, Narcissus becomes unable to care for himself and dies. This tale is exemplary of the concept of narcissism as well.
The story of Icarus also explores hubris. In Greek mythology, Icarus is the son of a famous artisan who is imprisoned in a tower. Inspired by nearby birds, his father builds two pairs of wings out of wax and feathers. These wings would allow Icarus and his father to fly across the ocean, escaping their prison. Icarus's father warns him that if he flies too low, the water will destroy his wings. However, if he flies too high, the sun's rays will melt the wax that holds the wings together. To survive, Icarus simply has to follow his father. Unfortunately, Icarus's hubris calls him to fly higher than his father, which ultimately leads to his death.
Hubris was also thought to be a concern of the Greek gods. In the Greek pantheon, Nemesis is a goddess of balance. She is primarily responsible for dispensing righteous consequences, rewarding good deeds and punishing malicious actions. The ancient Greeks believed that Nemesis hated hubris above all else and that she would always punish mortals who exhibited it.
Hubris has been redefined in the modern world, and it is now considered a form of excessive pride. Those who exhibit hubris show little to no humility or remorse and have difficulty seeing the bigger picture beyond their own interests. Hubris is commonly associated with the psychological disorder of narcissism. Narcissists are extremely selfish and have a grandiose image of themselves that is not justified by actual events.
In individuals with excessive hubris and narcissism, a variety of self-centered qualities are displayed. For example, such people tend to engage in actions that are focused on enhancing their self-image. They have a specific way they view themselves that may not match up with reality. To remedy this, they take actions that make them appear to others in the way they see themselves. They show excessive confidence in these actions, even if they have no relevant experience in the issue at hand.
When it accompanies narcissism, hubris may also lead individuals to associate themselves with a powerful government, nation, or organization. This allows them to believe that they act with the authority of a greater power. It also allows them to imagine that they deserve the respect commonly awarded to the organization or institution they have associated themselves with.
Many people with excessive hubris suffer from an inability to accept criticism. They believe themselves above the opinions of their peers, and they show contempt or malice toward anyone who damages their inflated view of themselves. In many cases, those with excessive hubris believe that their actions are beyond the authority of normal courts. Instead, they believe they can only be judged by a higher power, such as God. In many cases, they falsely believe that normal courts will acknowledge this and acquit them of any wrongdoing.
Some psychologists consider hubris a non-organic character trait that derives from obtaining power and therefore deem it a personality disorder, or hubris syndrome. They believe it should be added to the classification system for psychiatric disorders.
Excessive hubris is a common trope in fiction. Extremely prideful characters are often humbled by various plot events. This results in the personal growth of the character, even if his or her circumstances have not improved. Stories featuring such characters are intended to teach readers the value of perspective and the dangers of pride.
Bibliography
Diamandis, Eleftherios P., and Nick Bouras. "Hubris and Sciences." F1000Research, vol. 7, 2018, p. 133. doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.13848.1. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
"Ancient Greece." History, 5 Mar. 2010, www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/ancient-greece. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
"Hubris." Literary Devices, 2017, www.literarydevices.com/hubris/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
"Hybris." Theoi, 2017, www.theoi.com/Daimon/Hybris.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Furnham, Adrian, et al. “Arrogance, Hubris, and Narcissism: The Overconfident Leader.” The European Business Review, 22 Mar. 2024, www.europeanbusinessreview.com/arrogance-hubris-and-narcissism-the-overconfident-leader/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
"Nemesis." Greek Mythology, 2017, www.greekmythology.com/Other‗Gods/Nemesis/nemesis.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
"Nemesis." Theoi, 2017, www.theoi.com/Daimon/Nemesis.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Selten, Paul. "Consider the Hubris Syndrome for Inclusion in Our Classification Systems." Psychological Medicine, vol. 53, no. 13, 2023. doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723002672. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.