Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

TimberValley

(318 posts) Thu Apr 18, 2013, 04:20 PM Apr 2013

Hatred - should it exist in a civilized society? [View all]

Hatred of people is one of the quickest and easiest of human emotions, it seems. Yet it seems also that the more civilized a society is, the more it ought to leave this particular emotion behind it.

Some hold the view that hatred - of anyone or anything - should not exist. Some others hold the view that hatred is fine, as long as it is of a certain category of people. And unfortunately, I think there is a lot of hatred that goes on at DU.

Is hatred (of people) an inherently bad thing in and of itself?

Does hatred mean "stooping to the level of those who hate?" If Person A hates Person B because B is a hater, does that make A any better? Or should some people rise above the level of others and not hate others even if others are hating?

34 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Hatred - should it exist in a civilized society? [View all] TimberValley Apr 2013 OP

Hatred is almost always an outgrowth of fear. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2013 #1

I think it's more about resentment or irritation than fear. TimberValley Apr 2013 #3

That's not hate; that's momentary annoyance. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2013 #10

Holding on to hate chervilant Apr 2013 #2

If that civilized society has people in it, there will be hate. ntt rrneck Apr 2013 #4

I agree. HappyMe Apr 2013 #7

Hate can be overcomed by rational thoughts. darkangel218 Apr 2013 #11

Generally speaking that's true. rrneck Apr 2013 #14

Huh, what tells you resources are supposed to be scarce? Cleita Apr 2013 #16

I think we were designed to struggle against s scarcity. rrneck Apr 2013 #30

Nonsense. Traditional tribal societies do quite well at exploiting and Cleita Apr 2013 #31

We are not a traditional tribal society. rrneck Apr 2013 #32

But we are still the same species, so we have it in us to do better. n/t Cleita Apr 2013 #33

Maybe. I would like to think so. nt rrneck Apr 2013 #34

Rational thought is very powerful hifiguy Apr 2013 #21

I find it childish and any adults who indulge in it Cleita Apr 2013 #5

How high on the evolutionary scale is "condescension"? WinkyDink Apr 2013 #24

Who cares? This isn't a discussion about evolution.n/t Cleita Apr 2013 #25

Don't take away my hate. Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #6

oo ok :/ darkangel218 Apr 2013 #8

Civilization doesn't stop emotions. It helps us live together in spite of and in line with them. nolabear Apr 2013 #9

Very well said! hifiguy Apr 2013 #22

oh I know. let's just soma people! cali Apr 2013 #12

Well, according to the Bible - the first person born on Earth killed the second person born... cbdo2007 Apr 2013 #13

Please don't bring the Bible into a discussion that is supposed to be rational. Cleita Apr 2013 #17

You missed the point. cbdo2007 Apr 2013 #18

Okay, explain to me what I missed? Cleita Apr 2013 #20

Why are you so concerned with "facts" when the OP brought up such an abstract cbdo2007 Apr 2013 #28

It's only an important and influential book to those who practice the Abrahamic Cleita Apr 2013 #29

The question is what a rational society should do about it Warpy Apr 2013 #15

Merle Haggard has an opinion: kentuck Apr 2013 #19

I think you scuttled your argument with the term "human emotions." WinkyDink Apr 2013 #23

haters and biters datasuspect Apr 2013 #26

I think the point is that it should not be stoked, inflamed, made inevitably worse woo me with science Apr 2013 #27