Hatred

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Hazel Massery yelling at Elizabeth Eckford in a display of racial hatred in 1957. Elizabeth Eckford.jpg
Hazel Massery yelling at Elizabeth Eckford in a display of racial hatred in 1957.

Hatred or hate is an intense negative emotional response towards certain people, things or ideas, usually related to opposition or revulsion toward something. [1] Hatred is often associated with intense feelings of anger, contempt, and disgust. Hatred is sometimes seen as the opposite of love.

Contents

A number of different definitions and perspectives on hatred have been put forth. Philosophers have been concerned with understanding the essence and nature of hatred, while some religions view it positively and encourage hatred toward certain outgroups. Social and psychological theorists have understood hatred in a utilitarian sense. Certain public displays of hatred are sometimes legally proscribed in the context of pluralistic cultures that value tolerance.

Hatred may encompass a wide range of gradations of emotion and have very different expressions depending on the cultural context and the situation that triggers the emotional or intellectual response. Based on the context in which hatred occurs, it may be viewed favorably, unfavorably, or neutrally by different societies.

Emotion

As an emotion, hatred can be short-lived or long-lasting. [2] It can be of low intensity - 'I hate broccoli' - or high intensity: 'I hate the whole world'. [3] In some cases, hatred can be a learned response from external influences, such as from being abused, misled, or manipulated. As a general rule, hatred is the deep psychological response to feeling trapped or being unable to understand certain sociological phenomena. Robert Sternberg saw three main elements in hatred:

  1. a negation of intimacy, by creating distance when closeness had become threatening;
  2. an infusion of passion, such as fear or anger;
  3. a decision to devalue a previously valued object. [2]

The important self-protective function, to be found in hatred, [4] can be illustrated by Steinberg's analysis of 'mutinous' hatred, whereby a dependent relationship is repudiated in a quest for autonomy. [5]

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud defined hate as an ego state that wishes to destroy the source of its unhappiness, stressing that it was linked to the question of self-preservation. [6] Donald Winnicott highlighted the developmental step involved in hatred, with its recognition of an outside object: "As compared to magical destruction, aggressive ideas and behaviour take on a positive value, and hate becomes a sign of civilization". [7]

In his wake, object relations theory has emphasised the importance of recognising hate in the analytic setting: the analyst acknowledges his own hate (as revealed in the strict time-limits and the fee charged), [8] which in turn may make it possible for the patient to acknowledge and contain their previously concealed hate for the analyst. [4]

Adam Phillips went so far as to suggest that true kindness is impossible in a relationship without hating and being hated, so that an unsentimental acknowledgement of interpersonal frustrations and their associated hostilities can allow real fellow-feeling to emerge. [9]

Legalities

An advisory video from the Welsh Government

In the English language, a hate crime (also known as a "bias-motivated crime") generally refers to criminal acts which are seen to have been motivated by hate. Those who commit hate crimes target victims because of their perceived membership in a certain social group, usually defined by race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, mental disorder, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender identity, or political affiliation. [10] Incidents may involve physical assault, destruction of property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or offensive graffiti or letters (hate mail). [11]

Hate speech is speech perceived to disparage a person or group of people based on their social or ethnic group, [12] such as race, sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental disorder, disability, language ability, ideology, social class, occupation, appearance (height, weight, skin color, etc.), mental capacity, and any other distinction that might be considered a liability. The term covers written as well as oral communication and some forms of behaviors in a public setting. It is also sometimes called antilocution and is the first point on Allport's scale which measures prejudice in a society. In many countries, deliberate use of hate speech is a criminal offence prohibited under incitement to hatred legislation. It is often alleged that the criminalization of hate speech is sometimes used to discourage legitimate discussion of negative aspects of voluntary behavior (such as political persuasion, religious adherence and philosophical allegiance). There is also some question as to whether or not hate speech falls under the protection of freedom of speech in some countries.

Both of these classifications have sparked debate, with counter-arguments such as, but not limited to, a difficulty in distinguishing motive and intent for crimes, as well as philosophical debate on the validity of valuing targeted hatred as a greater crime than general misanthropy and contempt for humanity being a potentially equal crime in and of itself.[ citation needed ]

Neurology

The neural correlates of hate have been investigated with an fMRI procedure. In this experiment, people had their brains scanned while viewing pictures of people they hated. The results showed increased activity in the middle frontal gyrus, right putamen, bilaterally in the premotor cortex, in the frontal pole, and bilaterally in the medial insular cortex of the human brain. [13]

Those suffering from Misophonia have been known to express hatred when triggered. [14]

Ethnolinguistics

Hate, like love, takes different shapes and forms in different languages. [15] While it may be fair to say that one single emotion exists in English, French (haine), and German (Hass), hate is historically situated and culturally constructed: it varies in the forms in which it is manifested. Thus a certain relationless hatred is expressed in the French expression J'ai la haine, which has no precise equivalent in English; while for English-speakers, loving and hating invariably involve a force, an object, or a person, and therefore, a relationship with something or someone, J'ai la haine (literally, I have hate) precludes the idea of an emotion directed at a person. [16] This is a form of frustration, apathy and animosity which churns within the subject but establishes no relationship with the world, other than an aimless desire for destruction.

French forms of anti-Americanism have been seen as a specific form of cultural resentment, registering joy-in-hate. [17]

Religion

A United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom and religion cited the concept of collective hatred based on religion, which he described as a man-made phenomenon caused by deliberate actions and omissions of hate-mongers. [18]

Hatred can also be sanctioned by religion. The Hebrew word describing the psalmist's "perfect hatred" (Ps. 139.22) means that it "brings a process to completion". [19] Religion can employ extreme speech in an attempt convert new adherents and that extreme speech made against other religions or their adherents can result in situations of religious hatred. [20]

Philosophy

Philosophers from the ancient time sought to describe hatred and today, there are different definitions available. Aristotle, for instance, viewed it as distinct from anger and rage, describing hate as a desire to annihilate an object and is incurable by time. [21] David Hume also offered his own conceptualization, maintaining that hatred is an irreducible feeling that is not definable at all. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

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A hate crime is crime where a perpetrator targets a victim because of their physical appearance or perceived membership of a certain social group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misogyny</span> Prejudice against, or hatred of, women

Misogyny is hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism that can keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the social roles of patriarchy. Misogyny has been widely practised for thousands of years. It is reflected in art, literature, human societal structure, historical events, mythology, philosophy, and religion worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metaphor</span> Figure of speech of implicit comparison

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious pluralism</span> Stance of supporting peaceful coexistence and diversity of spiritual belief

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilhelm von Humboldt</span> Prussian philosopher, government official, diplomat, and educator (1767–1835)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misanthropy</span> General dislike of humanity

Misanthropy is the general hatred, dislike, or distrust of the human species, human behavior, or human nature. A misanthrope or misanthropist is someone who holds such views or feelings. Misanthropy involves a negative evaluative attitude toward humanity that is based on humankind's flaws. Misanthropes hold that these flaws characterize all or at least the greater majority of human beings. They claim that there is no easy way to rectify them short of a complete transformation of the dominant way of life. Various types of misanthropy are distinguished in the academic literature based on what attitude is involved, at whom it is directed, and how it is expressed. Either emotions or theoretical judgments can serve as the foundation of the attitude. It can be directed toward all humans without exception or exclude a few idealized people. In this regard, some misanthropes condemn themselves while others consider themselves superior to everyone else. Misanthropy is sometimes associated with a destructive outlook aiming to hurt other people or an attempt to flee society. Other types of misanthropic stances include activism by trying to improve humanity, quietism in the form of resignation, and humor mocking the absurdity of the human condition.

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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the human self:

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Bangladeshi nationalism is an ideology that promotes the territorial identity of Bangladeshis. The ideology emerged during the late 1970s, popularized by former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman. The history of nationalism in the country dates back to the colonial era, when the region started witnessing anti-colonial movements against the British Empire. Soon, a sense of religious nationalism began to emerge which was later revolutionised into ethnolinguistic nationalism. Following independence of Bangladesh in 1971, leaders like Ziaur Rahman began to promote Bangladeshi nationalism which was based on territorial attachment of Bangladeshis. Politically, Bangladeshi nationalism is mainly professed by the center-right and rightist political parties in Bangladesh, led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enemy</span> Individual or a group that is considered as forcefully adverse or threatening

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Online hate speech is a type of speech that takes place online with the purpose of attacking a person or a group based on their race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, and/or gender. Online hate speech is not easily defined, but can be recognized by the degrading or dehumanizing function it serves.

Hate speech is public speech that expresses hate or encourages violence towards a person or group based on something such as race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Hate speech is "usually thought to include communications of animosity or disparagement of an individual or a group on account of a group characteristic such as race, colour, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or sexual orientation".

References

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  2. 1 2 Y Ito ed., Encyclopedia of Emotion (2010) p. 302
  3. S Kucuk, Brand Hate (2016) p. 12-3
  4. 1 2 I Craib, Psychoanalysis (Cambridge 2001) p. 208
  5. Y Ito ed., Encyclopedia of Emotion (2010) p. 303
  6. S Freud, 'The instincts and their vicissitudes' (1915) in On Metapsychology (PFL 11) p. 135-5.
  7. D W Winnicott, The Child, the Family, and the Outside World (Penguin 1973) p. 239
  8. J Malcolm, Psychoanalysis (London 1988) p. 143
  9. A Phillips/B Taylor, On Kindness (London 2004) p. 93-4
  10. Stotzer, R.: Comparison of Hate Crime Rates Across Protected and Unprotected Groups Archived 2013-10-19 at the Wayback Machine , Williams Institute, 2007–06. Retrieved on 2007-08-09.
  11. Hate crime Archived November 26, 2005, at the Wayback Machine , Home Office
  12. "Dictionary.com: Hate speech". Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  13. Zeki, S.; Romaya, J.P. (October 2008). Lauwereyns, Jan (ed.). "Neural Correlates of Hate". PLoS ONE . 3 (10): e3556. Bibcode:2008PLoSO...3.3556Z. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003556 . PMC   2569212 . PMID   18958169.
  14. Swedo, Susan; Baguley, David M.; Denys, Damiaan; Dixon, Laura J.; Erfanian, Mercede; Fioretti, Alessandra; Jastreboff, Pawel J.; Kumar, Sukhbinder; Rosenthal, M. Zachary; Rouw, Romke; Schiller, Daniela (2021-04-07). "A Consensus Definition of Misophonia: Using a Delphi Process to Reach Expert Agreement". medRxiv   10.1101/2021.04.05.21254951v1 .
  15. James W. Underhill, Ethnolinguistics and Cultural Concepts: truth, love, hate & war, (2012) p. 160
  16. James W. Underhill, Ethnolinguistics and Cultural Concepts: truth, love, hate & war, (2012) p. 161-2
  17. James W. Underhill, Ethnolinguistics and Cultural Concepts: truth, love, hate & war, (2012) p. 173-181
  18. Temperman, Jeroen (2015). Religious Hatred and International Law: The Prohibition of Incitement to Violence or Discrimination. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 317. ISBN   9781107124172.
  19. Harris, R Laird (2003-10-01). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Publishers; New Edition. ISBN   978-0802486493.
  20. Howard, Erica (2017-07-28). Freedom of Expression and Religious Hate Speech in Europe. Routledge. ISBN   9781351998789.
  21. Smith, Tiffany Watt (2016-06-07). The Book of Human Emotions: From Ambiguphobia to Umpty -- 154 Words from Around the World for How We Feel. Little, Brown. ISBN   9780316265393.
  22. Spencer, F. Scott (2017). Mixed Feelings and Vexed Passions: Exploring Emotions in Biblical Literature. Atlanta, GA: SBL Press. p. 61. ISBN   9780884142577.

Further reading