Self-Sabotage: How We Try Not to Flourish

by Todd McGowan

Self-Sabotage contends that an unconscious impulse to undermine our own interests plays a dominant role in our lives. The idea of a primary drive to self-destruction is at odds with the prevailing common sense in a world where almost everyone believes that we strive to flourish. Yet often we fail to flourish not because some people are wicked but because the drive to sabotage ourselves outweighs the pleasures of flourishing. Our tendency to self-sabotage distorts our politics, throws off our romantic relationships, and generally makes human existence difficult. It is why we become involved with partners who continually create unhappiness for us, and also why we elect leaders who derail the nation.

Although the act of self-sabotage is clearly self-destructive, it appeals to us because it has a creative power. Through sacrificing ourselves, we create sublime value in the world. Our willingness to sacrifice our own interest elevates the value of the object we pursue and lifts it out of the realm of the ordinary. Self-sabotage leads to immense amounts of social harm. But at the same time, the tendency to self-destruction provides the basis for our ability to act ethically and surmount social pressure in the name of some higher value.

Genres: Psychoanalysis, Philosophy

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2026

About the author

Todd McGowan is Associate Professor of Film at the University of Vermont, US. He is the author of The Fictional Christopher Nolan (2012), Out of Time: Desire in Atemporal Cinema (2011), The Impossible David Lynch (2007), The Real Gaze: Film Theory After Lacan (2007), and other books.

Reviews

[Electric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book to finally make sense of the radical insight that is the later Freud and the Death Drive - exemplified by delving into a subject really everybody can relate to. Clear, concise, hilarious and very insightful.

[leren_lezen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favourite by McGowan because the big claims are just too sweeping but still it is cute. Liked his understanding of love (and his personal examples of past relationships) the most. I remember I once talked with a fellow PhD who became terrified when I tried to explain to her why the death drive is one of my favourite psychoanalytic concepts. She even urged me to talk about something else because the death drive gave her bad feelings (which is ofc a prime example of repression of her own darker side). Her research topic is very lovey dovey so I don’t think she can handle facing our massive capabilities for self-undermining. And loved the potential of owning our self sabotage and finding enjoyment in it instead of this constant stream of self-optimising (as if we act in self interest).

[William Yonts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but I think its accessibility hinders the strength of the argument. Idk, I like when an author is nitpicky with the theory. I’d love to hear McGowan expand more on self-sabotage creating a sublime negativity in the world; it feels like the crux of his understanding of the death drive lies there. I’m not sure I agree with his perspective that death drive and libido are unrelated; from my understanding, they’re both after jouissance. Still, his examples illustrate the point well enough, even if their anecdotal quality often give off “source: trust me bro” energy

[Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting points ab role of self sabotage being stronger than the will to flourishing and that self sabotage is essential in human existence.
Writing was accessible which was nice but I think maybe this hindered the actual argument from being explained properly
People don’t choose bad leaders because of self sabotage imo

In short: I don’t think I’ll be accepting a book recommendation from a man ever again x

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read theory but don't think you have the time? Buy this book

Look, I'm an avid audio podcast listener. Always thinking I should read more, but sabotaging that possibility by going to YouTube or my podcast app instead. This is an easy read though. And enlightening. Read it on the bus, read it in bed. I read it in 2 or 3 sittings, but you might in less. Don't sabotage this opportunity. Sacrifice a few bucks, and give self-sabotage a chance. Haha