Hatred: Understanding Our Most Dangerous Emotion

by Berit Brogaard

Hatred is often considered the opposite of love, but in many ways is much more complicated. It also may be considered one of the dominant emotions of our time, as individuals, groups, and even nations express or enact hatred to varying degrees. What is hatred? Where does it come from and what does it reveal about the hater? And is hatred always a bad thing?

Brogaard makes a deep dive into the moral psychology of one of our most complex, and vivid emotions. She explores how hatred arises between people and among groups. She also shows how hate, like anger, can sometimes be appropriate and fitting. Other other questions she addresses are, how does hate differ from anger, disgust, fear, and other related emotions? Is fear an essential part of hatred? How does hatred affect what happens inside the brain? How did hate evolve in human history? Is hatred ever morally justified? Can you hate and love at the same time? Can one hate oneself? How do implicit biases trigger hatred of groups?

This accessible, timely, and novel look at an underexplored emotion will employ examples from current events as well as art and literature and popular culture.

Genres: Psychology, Audiobook, Philosophy

432 pages, Hardcover

Published November 6, 2020

Reviews

[Gohnar23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOOOOOWWWWW ITS A PRETTY LENGTHYYYYY book about hatred but i kinda dont like the fact that if this really was a book about hatred and hatred only as an emotion then why did thhe book took so many detours into so many topics that have little to no relation to the words "hatred" and "emotion". If this was a philosophy/psychology/sociology textbook then i would've rated it higher but NOPEE this was presented and marketed as a book about hatred whech by looking at the contents of this book, it clearly doesn't.

[Sawyer X · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extensive, detailed, exhaustive, and well-written. At times, it goes into such a low level of detail that it can be difficult to follow. However, I appreciate the thoroughness of how topics are addressed.

[Viktor Lototskyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very academic, detailed and took ages to read.

But many of its parts stay in your head and keep you thinking long after.

[Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastisk men tolkningen av Arendt kan jeg ikke si meg enig med