Icarus complex

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The Icarus complex is a term in psychoanalysis and personality theory first used by Henry A. Murray [1] to describe a particular type of overambitious character. Psychosynthesis has applied it to those in whom spiritual ambition exceeds their personality limits, leading to a backlash. [2]

Contents

Etymology

Icarus was a Greek mythological figure who tried to escape imprisonment in Crete with his father Daedalus, using wings Daedalus crafted out of feathers and wax. Daedalus warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun or too low to the sea. Overwhelmed with the excitement of flying, Icarus flew much too high, and as a result the wax melted and his feathers fell off. Down Icarus plunged into the sea, and indeed into death as well. The story of Icarus is often used to signify the dangers of over-ambition. [3]

Characteristics

It is seen in a personality type that contains many or all of the following attributes: [1]

Ancillary consequences of this personality complex are:

Criticism

Doubt[ further explanation needed ] has been expressed as to the therapeutic value of the diagnosis of Icarus complex. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Narcissism in the workplace involves the impact of narcissistic employees and managers in workplace settings.

<i>Landscape with the Fall of Icarus</i> (de Momper) Painting by Joos de Momper

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Sperber, Michael A. "Albert Camus: Camus' the Fall: The Icarus Complex" American Imago (1969), 26:269-280.
  2. P. Ferrucci, What We May Be (1990) p. 160-1
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-19. Retrieved 2018-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. R. Hus, The Mindscapes of Art (1986) p. 196
  5. E. A. Kreuter, Victim Vulnerability (2008) p. 38-9
  6. C. Martindale, Ovid Renewed (1990) p. 53

Further reading