Hatred as Temptation: Lessons from the Power of Hate

(Philosocom's Directory On Emotions)

(Note: This is a special piece that will not be renovated to be kept in the present day, and will not be updated in information, in order to preserve some of the past. Past I can reflect on. I am not keen on forgetting the past. The past can help us forge a better future. More on my philosophy on the past has been written).

Hate, arguably, has been a natural emotion in humans since the dawn of time for various reasons, whether they are considered justified or not. Perhaps one of the biggest factors for hate comes from the societal need in us humans to be able to properly distinguish in our minds what is a part of our allies' and our own identity, and what isn't. Who is a friend and who is adversary. We may consider something too foreign, too hostile, or too despicable to ever consider it a part of our own sense of self and alignment.

Distinguishing between friend or foe is was and is imperative for our survival. In warfare, identifying friend or foe is imperative to know how to follow orders and how to command and control the troops. It is through our hatred of our enemy, where we will be more compelled to defeat them instead of being defeated by them.

Just like in a dark room, such distinction can help us gather a mental image of which we would better be able to navigate said darkness -- the darkness of reality. Therefore, emotions are like flashlights within the darkness. They can help us navigate it and identify people better than otherwise.

By such polarizing identification, we, theoretically, better stabilize and locate ourselves within and in relation to the universe.

However, even with its functionality, hatred is very much harmful for both others and ourselves, especially when it creates conflicts and rivalries that could have been otherwise avoided. That's especially true, if the hating agent/s would have the mental strength to overcome its Hatred as Temptation, and/or when there is not much practicality in hating the other side. Some conflicts are not worth it, and could take a toll on your health.

Therefore, there is something very tempting about hate, which could be a core reason as to why hatred is so common nowadays in the various media outlets, be it social media, the news, and blogs. Social media particularly can be a breeding ground for online hate. And it is very hard to live in peace when you either give in to the hate like a Sith Lord or be the victim of psychological harm, made by those who hate you. Hate could be one of the reasons as to why trauma is a "natural" feature in human society. Trauma can also be made by wanting to take revenge, and vengeance can stem from hatred.

Hatred tempts because our emotions can lead to irrational decisions, and to connect to our genuine selves, means becoming more irrational, as logic is taught, not inherited. As such, true love is also irrational, as in the matter of Romeo and Juliet. It is irrational to think that you do not deserve to move on with your life just because someone you love left you or even died. It is irrational to think that you should die as well. It is irrational to think that you should die because, as in another instance, the lover rejected your emotions.

However, there is something very deep, honest and human in being aligned with your emotions. It has nothing to do with logic. It has a lot to do with being human, and in feeling like you are far from being dead inside. That you emote. That you care. It is one of the things that make us alive on the deeper levels. It is why I am largely detached from the rest of humanity.

Apply the same rationality regarding love, to hatred. There is something very genuine and human in hatred. At times both emotions may somehow exist together, showing us how even more irrational emotions can be. And if you like that mixture, if it makes you feel alive, to hate, then you might have philomisia. The love of hatred. By the way, there are ways to feel alive. They have failed reviving my dead spirit. I am only emotionally motivated by these basic emotions: Love and hatred. Love to work, eat and rest. Hatred, for Chen.

She will pay.

It can be even more arguable that hatred is more tempting than its opposing counterparts, such as compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and atonement. Perhaps this is why there have been, are, and will be unnecessary conflicts between humankind and itself, even after the massive influence of figures such as Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi, and so forth, even from their very own loyal followers. Examples of that are militant Buddhists in Myanmar. It is ironic because peace and non-violence are imperative in Buddhism.

It is easier to look down at the heart and obey the ignited flame that calls to react passionately, rather than look up at the brain and consider the consequences of our actions. It's easier because emotions serve as shortcuts in our decision making, and our brains are programmed to make shortcuts than to plan for the long term using critical thinking.

This is why I am no longer surprised when I observe the aggressions that flow and clash across the External World. Fires attempting to either silence or condemn one another, believing they are water to the other. In this age of simplicity and laziness, where easiness and comfort are usually more praised than hard work and discipline, the easier, cost-effective answer would be hate for many, when they encounter someone they don't really like. Alternatively they may view their subject of despise as too different to be considered a part of "their own" identity.

The answer, therefore, to the problem of contemporary hatred, would be to show restraint and to be skeptical about the burning flame within. The same flame that often leads to crimes such as incitement, racism, gang-stalking and cyberbullying. All of those, even if gratifying for the short term, seem to leave a terrible scar on today's civilization.

A scar of intolerance, herd mentality, and mockery of whoever and whatever we do not consider a part of ourselves, even if said things and beings are also the same members and components of our families, communities, and countries. Hatred can divide societies. In certain situations, like in post-apocalyptic, theoretical scenarios, it is vital for societies to not be divided as in such contexts, survival depends on the ability of all members to collaborate in the name of survival.

Giving in to emotion is good when it actually helps. The fact that it may feel like it may help, just because it resonates with you, does not mean it will help resolve a situation or an issue in an effective or successful way. It may be good when sexual transmutation can benefit you. It may be bad for you whenever your emotions can sabotage your plans, thus making them counter productive.

After thinking on these insights, I personally realized the more and more urgent need in our world to be able to clearly recognize short and long term benefits, and be strong enough to choose the latter when it is bigger than the former, even if the former gives us a greater, personal sense of gratification. For gratification can be used against you.

The world should not be hostile to whoever it considers too foreign, too outlandish. After all, we are all on the same boat and pay the same tolls of life. We share the same physical space and planet and do not live in a vacuum. Our actions have consequences whether we care about it or not.

The call for acts such as execution, murder, and shame-for-life, in a more self-respecting world, should be considered too ridiculous to be supported and carried out so easily. We shouldn't reject others for simply being who they are, and we should not punish people for that just because they do not look good in our eyes.

Hatred as Temptation is a natural emotion that is part of our id, or primitive, instinctual self. However, it is not always rational to obey our id's urges, when these urges can, for instance, hinder our democracies by compromising our moral position as democratic citizens.

We should all strive to overcome our hatred when it does not help us, and embrace the philosophy of pluralistic existence. If someone has expressed their existence in a harmless way, why should we hate them for expressing their freedoms? Expressing one's eccentricity is, as well, no exception.

People are allowed to at least try and become the best versions of themselves. You may be hated because people may feel too insecure in your presence. Or even straight-out fear you. Do not blame yourself for their emotional problems, as they are not necessarily your fault or responsibility.

I hate Chen for making me feel insecure about my worth. It was awful. As such, the best revenge is a massive success.

And she will pay.

Hail Philosocom.