We intend Self-confidence as the Latin ‘confidentia’.

SELF-CONFIDENCE (or self-esteem) is one’s subjective assessment of one’s worth. As well, it includes convictions about oneself. For example, “I am a victim”, “I am professional”. Also, it includes emotional states like envy, happiness, resentment. Smith and Mackie (2007) write “Self-concept is what we think about the self; self-esteem, is the positive or negative evaluations of the self, as in how we feel about it.“

Self-esteem might concern a single trait. For instance, “I think I am a good plumber and I feel happy about it”. Or it might regard a general attitude. “I think I am a nice person, and I feel good in general”. Psychologists usually regard self-confidence as a lasting personality feature. Nonetheless, normal, short-term variations also take place. Other synonyms or near-synonyms of self-confidence and self-esteem are self-worth, self-regard, self-respect.

Whoever desires a philosophical existence is in need of an adequate level of SELF-CONFIDENCE. This quality is important for many aspects of a honourable way of life. It is also decisive in order to have a good rate of determination.

We intend Self-confidence as the Latin ‘confidentia’. A minimum of self-esteem is advisable at the beginning of the work on ourselves. But it is also an outcome which testifies that the subject is a long way into the process.

SELF-CONFIDENCE has nothing to do with pretense, cockiness and other excesses deriving from inflated egos. In fact, it is simply a solid belief in one’s own means and capacities.

SELF-CONFIDENCE and HUMILITY should always stay hand in hand in order for them to result in a realistic and sound form of EQUILIBRIUM.

This is Sokratiko’s way to interpret the notion of SELF-CONFIDENCE. Please continue to browse our list of philosophical TOPICS by clicking on the other entries of our list.