“Our theory is simply this: a person counts as an asshole when, and only when, he systematically allows himself to enjoy special advantages in interpersonal relations out of an entrenched sense of entitlement that immunizes him against the complaints of… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“of view, may show that he is not getting the respect he deserves. Although our theory is a definition of the term “asshole,” we… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“Fully cooperative people, we may say, see themselves as equals, as having grounds for special treatment only in special circumstances that others will equally… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“and third things a theory of assholes should explain are related and must be handled with greater care. The second thing to explain is… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“To summarize, then, our three requirements for a good theory of assholes are as follows. We are looking for (1) a stable trait of… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“That is why otherwise coolheaded people fall into a fit of rage or lash out at the asshole: they are fighting to be recognized.” — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“According to Rousseau, healthy self-love does not require comparing oneself to others at all; feeling worthy does not necessarily involve feeling superior to someone.… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“The asshole not only takes special privileges but refuses to listen when people complain.” — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“The fight can become extraordinarily frustrating because the asshole usually wins: his sense of entitlement is entrenched, so there is usually no getting through.” — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“However misguided, the asshole is morally motivated. He is fundamentally different from the psychopath, who either lacks or fails to engage moral concepts, and… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“The asshole is not just another annoying person but a deeply bothersome person—bothersome enough to trigger feelings of powerlessness, fear, or rage.” — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“one of our basic moral responsibilities is to hear people out, to at least take seriously the reasons they give for wanting to be… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
“The asshole, by contrast, traffics in and is moved by moral justification—except that moral justification, for him, leads to an entrenched sense of special… — Aaron James Copy Share Image
