Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health

Merriam-Webster sees 30,500% spike in ‘schadenfreude’ after Trump diagnosis

Thousands and thousands of internet users have learned a new word.

Mihai Andrei by Mihai Andrei
October 5, 2020
in Health

Schadenfreude, pleasure derived from another person’s misfortune, was the most searched word on Merriam-Webster, on the 2nd of October.

But is this feeling morally acceptable?

📈 Lookups for 'schadenfreude' have spiked 30,500% https://t.co/nWRnJzKUPd

— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) October 2, 2020

As the revelation of President Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis dawned on the world, some parts of the internet experienced a feeling that can be described using an archaic German word. Schadenfreude has origins dating back as far as the late 18th century and it combines the German words for damage (schaden) and joy (freude). Simply put, you feel joy that someone else is suffering some problem (either because you think they deserve it or just don’t like the person).

The word starged trending on German social media as soon as news of the American President’s test spread, and it quickly spread to the English-speaking media.

But isn’t this unethical? The philosophy of Schadenfreude

Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, many shortcomings of the Trump administration in handling the pandemic are evident. But whether that justifies joy at someone’s illness is a completely different story.

Many were quick to point out that in these trying times, we need empathy and to care for everyone. Rejoicing in pettiness is not the answer, argued Dr. Abraar Karan of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

I agree with this 100%. Especially from physician colleagues who are actively mocking Trump— this is not what we were trained to do. I wouldn’t wish this disease upon anyone. And having true empathy even for those whom we may have negative feelings toward speaks to who we are. https://t.co/mi9wd8VuKF

— Dr. Abraar Karan (@AbraarKaran) October 2, 2020

Meanwhile, others felt that Trump, benefitting from the best care and treatments in the world, deserves little sympathy. Mary Trump, the president’s niece, tweeted this hours after her uncle’s diagnosis: “I reserve my sympathy, empathy, and despair for those who are sick and for those who have died because they were misled, lied to, or ignored. Wear a fucking mask. #VOTE.”

As Joe Biden and President Obama were quick to wish Trump a speedy recovery, many wondered whether Trump, who has repeatedly downplayed the virus and its effects, would do the same thing for his rivals. Many on social media felt Schadenfreude particularly because of that: because Trump is himself suffering from something he tried to sweep under the rug (and which has killed over 210,000 Americans).

But those who searched what Schadenfreude means online may be quick to learn something else: it’s a fickle feeling with a very sour aftertaste.

The damage that Trump has done to science, climate, and health in the US runs very deep, but even so, most of the philosophers who help define our moral compass see Schadenfreude as morally unacceptable. In other words, whether or not you like Trump, you shouldn’t be happy about his problems.

The 19th century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer saw it rooted in pure cruelty — a “diabolical” emotion, he called it. Meanwhile, other philosophers see it as a form of protecting our own vulnerability (he’s sick but I’m not, ha-ha), or rooted in a sense of false superiority.

But there are also exceptions. René Descartes sees Schadenfreude as a quest for justice — we’re happy because something bad is happening to someone bad, so the world is becoming a bit more just. In Descartes’ view, it could be a permissible feeling — but a commendable one it can never be.

It’s understandable that many people feel disappointment or even anger at Trump for the way he handled the pandemic. Many might even consider it just that he got the disease he tried to ignore for so long. We all crave a sense of justice (though we see that justice differently), but harboring negative feelings instead of empathy will only chip away at our humanity. Schadenfreude is a great word to know, but if we look under the hood of what actually causes it, we might not really like what we see.

Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Related posts:
  1. Jesus Christ’s burial tomb sees light of day for the first time in 500 years
  2. Detecting biomarkers in urine could allow for earlier cancer diagnosis
  3. Children can recover from an autism diagnosis, study finds
  4. Fiber optic tubes inserted through your veins could accelerate diagnosis
  5. Even with better prevention and earlier diagnosis, cancer will kill nearly 10 million people in 2018

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW