The ego has different definitions in different fields of studies. 

In this article we shall delve into the definition of the term drawing insights from various fields of studies and cultures. We shall also try to extract the common denominators in the definitions.

Let’s Go!

So what’s the Ego?

•Streets Definition of the ego.

When people in the street talk about ego, they are alluding to an over-inflated sense of self. Someone who is egotistical thinks about themselves first, and everyone else as secondary to that. It is also used to refer to arrogance and pride.

In Psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, one great sage during his time, defined it as a rational part of the mind that mediates between the instinctual desires of the id like thirst, hunger, sex and aggression, the moral constraints of the superego, and the external world .

The super ego forms after internalizing ideals from our caretakers and the society on what’s good and bad,, moral and evil.

In Depth psychology, The protagonist here is probably Carl Jung who identified the ego as our identity. It’s our sense of I and ‘I am’ . It’s the concept of who we believe we are and are not.

Eg; “Iam shy”.

•In many spiritual and Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Hinduism, the ego is often viewed as an illusion or a false sense of self constructed from past societal conditioning and expectations obscuring one’s true nature. Also referred to as the lower self- a part driven by fear, doubt, and limitation, often seen as the main source of suffering and separation from the divine or universal consciousness.

It Creates attachment, fear, desire, and identification with the material or personal self.

Spiritual practices often aim to transcend the ego, leading to a state of liberation or enlightenment.

• In Metaphysics, the ego is an entity of separation.  

The ego makes one have a feeling of being a distinct, separate entity from others and everything else. It creates an us vs them dynamic. This is against metaphysical teachings on oneness which claim human beings are interconnected beings.

Metaphysically speaking the other person is just you in another body.

•Among the Buddhists, the ego refers to the Monkey mind- describing the restless, easily distracted, and constantly chattering nature of the mind.

The dramatic story teller which constantly tries to justify and judge our decision & choices, reminds us of our mistakes, predicts disaster and make sense of what happened to us in the past.

We hear it all day, every day: the voice inside our head which says “You’re not good enough.” “You’ll fail.” “They don’t like you.”

We assume that voice is us or a presentation of our true self but that’s a dangerous lie if the Buddhist teachings are to go by. The inner critic is just an echo of old programing and voices.

It’s the “story” the mind tells itself about who we are, based on our thoughts, emotions, memories, and beliefs.

The constant stream of conditioned fears, doubts, and limiting beliefs that comes with hesitation, self-sabotage and endless overthinking based on our past conditioning.

•In sociology, The ego is the socially constructed identity shaped by interactions, roles, and cultural expectations.

It helps shape social reality, maintains self-image in relation to others.

It identifies itself with status, norms and labels.

• Individual Psychologists led by Alfred Adler viewed the ego as part of us that strives for superiority.

This may see one drawn in habits such as constant comparison,, envying those who have more and demeaning those who have less.

People may also engage in habits such as boasting, controlling others, seeking dominance and walking around with imaginary crowns of superiority on their heads.

• In modern contemporary psychological perspective, ego refers to a person’s sense of self-esteem, self-importance, and self-worth.

A strong ego allows us to function effectively in the world by maintaining healthy boundaries, bounce back from setbacks and failures, fuel our determination and allows us to learn from our mistakes.

A healthy ego make us confident in our abilities, provides the foundation for a healthy sense of self-worth and fuel creativity and innovation.

An inflated ego leads to arrogance, narcissism, and self-centeredness damaging relationships, creating conflicts, and hindering growth.

A fragile ego makes us resistant to criticism and to veer off from situation that may expose us to constant scrutiny, judgement or even criticism. One with a fragile ego takes everything personally, is easily triggered and is highly defensive.

An overly rigid ego also make us resistant to feedback, new ideas, and personal growth. It prevents us from learning new information.

A large ego crave attention and validation from others. It makes one seek out compliments, admiration, or approval to boost their self-esteem.

It can also lead to a sense of entitlement, where someone believes they deserve special treatment, respect, or privileges solely based on their self-perceived superiority.

•… In western philosophy which probably Ryan Holiday, the author of the Ego is the Enemy, vouches for, the ego is seen as an entity of Certainty and self righteousness.

Part of us that resist change and clings to comfort hence avoiding uncertainty and risks even though growth is on the other side of the spectrum. The ego also makes us resistance to beliefs that are conflicting our own,, sadly even those that were rammed into us by the society.

The ego also comes with it, a sense of self-righteousness and know it all, preventing us from learning from others.

•Neuro Scientists refer to the ego as the reptilian brain.

The primitive part of our brain focused on individual survival, immediate gratification &self-preservation at all costs.

Fear, Greed, Selfishness, Impulsivity and Aggression are some of the most primal urges of the reptilian brain.

Ego driven people according to this field make reactive, often fear-based, ego-centric choices focused on short-term personal gain, even if it harms others or the environment.

When you see one who is quick to anger, sees the world as threatening or relies on instinct rather than reasoning then know that the ego is at play. It also has instinctual survival responses, such as fight, flight, or freeze, which are activated in response to perceived threats.

It also constantly craves bodily pleasure.

•Holistic psychologist refer to the ego as a protector trying to keep us safe.

The ego is viewed as a protector of identity and beliefs rewarded to us by our external environment. It seeks to keep us in safe & predictable scenarios, defend the concept of the self the same it’s always been and protect us from feeling pain.

It’s also seen as mediator between our conscious desires and subconscious beliefs, especially when the two are in conflict by coming up with stories & decisions that are more neutral and favourable to both minds through rationalization.

Generally, the above definitions sum up to common denominators that;

1. The ego is a Protector.

It protects and defends our identity, beliefs, habits, personalities, choices and decisions.

It’s like a guard and before changing any part of our identity, expect war for it won’t go down without a fight..

It’s trying to protect us based on what it learned from our past. It’s defensiveness and reactive is just a shield built as a survival tool.

The ego protects us from pain, rejection, rejection, failure, embarrassment, change… Perceived or real.

It protects us from the unknown.

2. It’s a Deceiver.

It Magnifies threats to seem larger and dangerous than they are.

It rationalizes irrational decisions/beliefs/choices and make them appear rational.

It convinces us that we’re safe even when we’re not and predicts unsafety when there’s nothing to be afraid of.

3. It’s a Story Teller.

The ego comes up with convincing stories that convinces us to do or not to do some things … That justifies what happened to us in the past and what would happen in future.

It also has stories that justifies who we are based on our internalized beliefs and experiences.

It’s the voice that says;

• Don’t speak they’ll judge you.
• Don’t trust remember how it hurt last time.
• Don’t try… you’ll only fail again.
• They’re stories… Wounds.

3. It’s rooted for Survival.

The ego tries it best to keep us away from perceived pain, unpredictable scenarios, unfamiliar circumstances and perceived threats.

It’s just meant to keep us safe and in the known even if the known means chaos.

It keeps us safe from pain, rejection, rejection, failure, embarrassment… Perceived or real.

4. Shaped by our past conditioning.

Whatever the ego protects, defends and tells us is based on what we have learnt in the past.

From the voices and images we have internalized from our encounter with the external environment – The parents, teachers, school system, media, experiences and the society at large.

5. The Ego as a Mediator.

The ego acts as a Mediator between the demands of the external world and internal world,, between our desires and moral compasses,, between the conscious mind and subconscious mind, between our past and present , between the rational parts and irrational parts of our brain

6. It’s not an enemy.

The ego is this good friend who believes he’s trying to protect us even when not but is not aware.

To the wise, the ego is just a familliar friend that need intentional guidance not seen as an enemy.