Misanthropy

This video introduces some of the recent philosophical work on misanthropy. The third part is based on the work of Ian James Kidd, particularly his article "Varieties of Philosophical Misanthropy". See also Norlock's "Perpetual Struggle" and Halwani's "Misanthropy and Virtue". The notion of secular theodicies comes from Benatar's book "The Human Predicament", though his focus is on pessimism in general rather than misanthropy specifically.

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0:00 - Philosophical misanthropy
3:24 - Secular theodicies
23:50 - Living with misanthropy

[Abuhan]

Seeing people argue about being misanthropes really just proves the points made about optimistic misanthropy and some of the others. Humans are the problem, therefore incapable of being a solution or solving it ourselves.

[oldschoolcockneylover]

My attitude is every time I suffered, I suffered alone and no one helped me, and if I did not cause the suffering of others why am I obliged to relieve it? I want my big f off tv thanks and a new car!

[SleepyJoe]

True humans have done good thing doesn’t change the fact that the bad outweighs the good and no I’m not a misanthrope just have low expectations of humanity’s kindness and goodness

[dcfromthev]

Wow I googled "misanthrope" looking to find others who think like I do and boom here I am! This is fantastic! I am half through the video and agree with everything said so far. Great work!

[dharma_mane]

Yep I dislike humanity for many reasons.

[IPlayWithFire]

This is one of my favorite philosophy channels on yt. You deserve to blow up ahead of all these people in the recommended bar.

[pammcnary]

This is amazing! I am misanthropic. I am a vegan, and a “quietist”. And I struggle with depression & hopelessness…

[Chasee]

Or could it be that you're rationalizing human inability or unwillingness to live up to any set of strict standards of behavior. Humanity does this a lot, doesn't it! I can't or don't want to follow, therefore the rules are wrong. Personally, I'm a bit tired of all our excuses. I think, whatever flaws misanthropy may have, it's right to say that we're a moral failure. We just are, and I think, deep down, it's obvious to anyone who observes the world critically.

[ff-]

Am I the only misanthropic that also hates himself for being so flawed like the rest?

[saintsword]

My misanthropy is far simpler. It's just the recognition that interacting with humans on a personal level is far more stressful than beneficial for me. The average human is too stupid or too close-minded to stimulate me or play the sorts of social games that I'd like to play and their values, while I'm not condemning them, are so different than mine that I find it nearly impossible to connect with them.

Further, the kind of life I would like to live, which is very simple and introverted, is either prohibitively expensive (buying land) or borderline criminal due to the stupidity of my society. I don't condemn others for not wanting the same lifestyle nor do I call for others to live this way, but humans have made it nearly impossible for me to live that life.

I don't condemn people morally so much as I condemn them from a personal sentiment. People just suck. I might enjoy some of the benefits of society, but there are others that just prevent me from living the way I want and personal interactions with the vast, vast majority of people are net negative experiences.

[connorfrankston]

I wonder if lots of people don’t give much to charities because they have difficulty verifying that any given charity is a legitimate enterprise and that they aren’t just being played for suckers. I feel like most people prefer to have direct control over their kindnesses and also to observe and experience the positive effects. I think this might be because most people, even very financially wealthy people, are actually quite miserable much of the time, and are (perhaps reasonably) more concerned with ameliorating their personal struggles day by day than with all of the other woes of the world that would get stacked on top of them. Don’t get me wrong, I think I tend to be pretty misanthropic. Not sure though, I think I most often feel that way when I don’t feel connected to my local community.

[billybob]

I really enjoyed this. Nice to hear a breakdown on philosophy. I'm stoned right now, but might add more later. Either way, much respect for how much work you put in to this video m8

[silversnail]

I used to think I was a nihilist but then I realized I was just a misanthrope. It was a very liberating experience.

[justacat]

my misanthropy has in focus the notion and arrogance to not aknowledge their own stupidity(and when misantrophes understand this inherent stupidness as it is human)

[Mallemaria]

So looking back, I was a misanthrope back in 2022 to 23 for a few name reasons. mainly because of how humans take pleasure in dominating each other over everything in our feeble lives. It didn't matter if we were brainwashed by the powerful or that there was some benevolent and kind soul in our hearts, the damage done by the destruction of our individual minds has been done. I have a friend who essentially fits the description for what I was back then. Instead of not listening to him because of my past, I've done it so that he can have someone to talk and vent to. It gets tiring sure, but I'd rather let people show themselves for what they are rather then hide our counter cultural beliefs.

[xcm]

*Imagine being so caught up in morality that you think that it actually exists*

[erictim]

seems like a lot of people who would consider themselves misanthropes still seem to think human achievement is worthy of celebration

[SuperTonyony]

We are not Homo sapiens. We are Homo pestis.

[KnightofEkron]

Misanthropy is pretty sensible, especially given history and our modern awareness of the cartoonish levels of evil across the Earth.

Also, Anprim gang represent!

[ericeland]

I love how there is no concrete argument against the quietest and the fugitive who decides to become a hermit… there’s literally no possible way to debunk these two.