the rightful place for the Ego?

[© Tweed the Younger]

I place this in this Board in a philosophy of life sense.


often we hear 'Ego' or 'dude has a big Ego' as a pejorative.  Alcoholics Anonymous tells us "an alcoholic is an egomaniac with an inferiority complex".  well, fine: but is the trick not to bring self-image in line with ego image, to find an equilibrium, to gain comfort with oneself?  to be 'saved', for those who prefer the Christian language?

the second part of the problem is as follows: we can have two man whose ego-image and self-image are in equilibrium... however, the one has a very 'small' ego image, needs few concessions from reality to find it satisfied, while the other needs more attention, more centrality, and more deference, more success.  is one preferable to the other?  preferable in any sense: either from the perspective of the subject, or those around him.