Hubris in World Leaders: Evidence of Neurologic Illness?

A prominent British politician gives a candid appraisal of the overconfident attitudes of leaders and their possible basis in neurologic processes.

Lord David Owen outlines a condition of greater public concern than conventional illness in a leader: exaggerated self-confidence and sense of personal destiny coupled with a disdain for other views (hubris), which inevitably leads to retribution and an eventual ignominious downfall (nemesis).

Instead of discussing Caesar, Napoleon, or Nixon, he selects living examples: former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, current British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and U.S. President George W. Bush. Owen discusses how their personal self-confidence, sense of destiny, and intoxication with power endanger the democratic process. He adds that neuroscience may in the future find an explanation for hubris, but, until then, constant vigilance and count…

Reviewing Author

T. Jock Murray, MD, OC, FRCPC, MACP