Delusions of Grandeur and Feelings of Inferiority

Alfred Adler an Austrian psychologist who overlapped the nineteenth and twentieth century introduced the notion of an "Inferiority Complex" resulting from a long standing and pervasive lowered sense of self esteem. One of the interesting responses people sometimes develop to these painful feelings is a lifelong striving, not merely for equality with others, but instead out and out "Superiority". This can work out for well or for ill. It is really problematic in it's most extreme and dramatic form when the person, unknown to himself develop D.O.G. (Delusions of Grandeur). Believing that he, for whatever reason, is so "exceptional" that nothing he does or says can ever be questioned or even doubted.  Some famous historical figures exhibited at least traces of this malady: Charles de Gaulle, Adolph Hitler, Napolean I of France. Variants of this condition of "exceptionalism" have even been cited in groups, cultures and nations. It reveals itself in a kind of fanatic drive to overpower people, events, sovereign nations and events. Being able to impose one's will over others is the ultimate power high.

Any individual or group who experience these feelings of "specialness" are resistant to new learning since anything that's worth knowing they already possess. That's why they are very difficult to deal with. They don't listen, they can't see or hear contrary evidence. Delusions of this sort can occur periodically in otherwise normal people but will, never the less, result in dangerous distortions of reality. 

There is, and always has been, a fair sprinkling of people with this condition evident in the world around us. Be wary especially of anyone who carries the strain for they will try to control you and as much of your surrounding world as they can get away with. Be especially leery of fanatical people in leadership roles in government, politics and religion. That is where the most harm can be inflicted.