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The Surprising Benefits of a Quiet Ego
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The Surprising Benefits of a Quiet Ego

Scott Barry Kaufman
Susan Cain, 2022
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  • Scientific
  • Applicable
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In this brief, captivating article for Susan Cain, cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman outlines research showing the ancient teachers might have got it right: Transcending the self can bring inner peace and contentment – as well as a host of other benefits. Citing recent work in social psychology, Kaufman offers an intriguing insight into the culture of self-enhancement, arguing for a balance between self-esteem and the old-fashioned virtue of humility.

Summary

Having a quiet ego means turning down the volume on the self so you can listen to others and your surroundings.

Humility, a once-celebrated virtue, seems to have fallen out of favor in modern times. In fact, the frequency and appearance of the words “humility” and “humbleness” in published works fell by 43.3% between 1901 and 2000. Nevertheless, psychological researchers have confirmed the importance of humility, or “the quiet ego.”

A quiet ego doesn’t imply a lack of self-esteem; rather, it reflects a person with strong self-worth who feels confident in the face of threats to the ego. Moreover, a quiet ego doesn’t necessarily mean a person has a quiet voice. The quiet ego doesn’t efface the self; rather, it balances self-interest and self-transcendence, turning the dial down on the self in order to listen to others with...

About the Author

Cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman is scientific director of the Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He researches the mind, creativity and human potential. His books include Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization and Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined.

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