The Misanthrope is a shadow archetype of the Intellectual. While the Intellectual usually enjoys the company of others, both to teach and to learn from, a sense of superiority can slide into misanthropic territory. Feeling particularly bitter lately? Check yourself before you wreck yourself:

Loved ones gettin’ in the way?

Intellectuals love trivia, facts, learning, loads of information, and sometimes they love it too much – maybe more than their friends and family members. If you find yourself feeling as though your companions are obstructions to the pursuit of your passions, you could be slipping into shadow territory.

So you’ve been burned before…

According to Socrates in Plato’s Phaedo, “Misanthropy develops when without art one puts complete trust in somebody thinking the man absolutely true and sound and reliable and then a little later discovers him to be bad and unreliable… and when it happens to someone often… he ends up… hating everyone.” The key here might be forgiveness and patience – and that’s not easy! People must practice every day in order to succumb to hateful feelings.

Eat a little crow.

Overconfidence and superiority complexes can attribute to a general misanthropic ‘tude. Going forward, take on new challenges that push you past your limits – you don’t know everything (you can’t!) and need a piece of humble pie.

Don’t over think it – use your heart.

Carolyn Myss says, “The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” By taking these negative impulses as motivation for change, you can help heal yourself. Instead of indulging the frustration, meditate on strengthening your empathy.

Hate it? Change it.

Tap into your Advocate archetype and volunteer! Not only will you be too busy to bow to your pessimism, you’ll also be changing what you dislike through hard work and allegiance to a cause. And your friends and family will be super glad to not hear any more complaining! 

Do you know your archetypes? Take our short quiz to find out!