saumanosia

Saumanosia is a coined term that appears in speculative discussions and online discourse to describe a hypothetical psychological state. It is not recognized by mainstream psychiatry, psychology, or medical diagnostics.

Etymology and scope: The term seems to be a modern neologism with unclear linguistic origins; no authoritative etymology is established. Its usage varies across sources, often as a conceptual tool rather than a clinical label.

Definition and characteristics: In contexts where saumanosia is invoked, it refers to a paradoxical pattern in which an individual displays both pronounced self-regard or self-promotional behavior and strong moral concern for others, sometimes including altruistic acts that appear to stem from self-affirmation. Proponents use the concept to explore tensions between ego and ethics, and to illustrate cognitive dissonance in social behavior.

Clinical status and critique: Because it lacks formal criteria, saumanosia is not a diagnosable condition. Critics argue that it risks conflating fictional or rhetorical constructs with real mental health issues and cautions against over-pathologizing everyday personality traits.

In culture and scholarship: The term has appeared mainly in speculative fiction discussions, online essays, and commentary on social media behavior; there are no standardized guidelines for measurement or treatment. Related topics include narcissism, altruism, and cognitive dissonance.