15 traits that identify a misanthrope

Alan Moore, writer, novelist, musician and renowned misanthrope, once said that ““The whole world is a stage.”. However, it is curious that people who think and feel like him are bothered by this scenario because of its protagonists, who in most cases are made up of human beings.

Through this text, we will delve into the characteristics of people that bother people in general. Also, we will explore the definition and causes of this way of being. Keep reading!

Misanthropy: definition and causes

Misanthropy is understood as a psychological disposition that is characterized by rejection of the human species.. What’s more, its etymological root means “hatred of human beings.” Among its possible causes are:

Perception of social injustice: Constantly observing: injustices, corruption or inequalities in society can generate disenchantment and distrust towards humanity.Exhaustion from social interactions: A common reason behind misanthropy is the emotional exhaustion that can arise from relating to others. In many cases, this feeling is the result of conflictive relationships.Literary influences: Exposure to currents of thought or literature that present a pessimistic or critical view of humanity can reinforce or generate misanthropic feelings.History of personal disappointments: Experiencing betrayal from close individuals can leave deep emotional scars.Dysfunctional family environments: Feeling that the family does not offer understanding or support can be a determining factor.Traumatic experiences: especially, if these come from family members who should have been a source of protection. Furthermore, experiences such as feeling displaced at school, being ignored or feeling excluded can mark a person from childhood. These memories can lead the individual to show antisocial tendencies in adulthood.Radical beliefs: Subjects who align themselves with extreme currents, whether in political or religious contexts, may express disdain towards society in general. This attitude is notorious in high-risk extremist groups or in organizations that promote violent acts.

These accumulated experiences can culminate in the evolution of a personality that leans toward social withdrawal. Misanthropy can also be a reaction to the feeling of not being accepted by society.

What traits identify a misanthrope?

The psychological disposition of the misanthrope is not only natural, but often arises from feeling, but also from reflection. In fact, his profiles are usually shown as people from whom we would expect great mental capacity and high levels of thinking. So that, Your beliefs and feelings also arise from reflection.

What’s more, it could be said that the misanthrope’s rejection by the human species arises from deep ruminations. That is to say, His hatred of humanity is not actually natural, but the work of a very elaborate thought.. Therefore, among its traits, it is not strange to find certain behaviors. Let’s look at some of its features.

1. They tend towards sadism

Misanthropic people show a certain tendency towards sadism. They are not capable of showing mercy, so human suffering does not affect them or affects them little. In fact, they do not relate it to a moral fact, unless it affects them personally.

2. They consider themselves superior

As we have mentioned, they tend to be profiles of great intelligence and very thoughtful. So that, It is not surprising that one of its distinctive features is the superiority. What’s more, since humans are a despicable figure for them, they are clear that they will always be above the rest.

3. They like solitude

Since they are not comfortable with other people, misanthropes enjoy being alone, especially in their free time. In fact, they prefer to spend it with animals, rather than with humans. So that, They relate just enough for work or family reasonsbut as soon as they can, they flee the company of other people.

4. They express their emotions in an individualistic way

Although they feel emotions, manifest them in ways that do not require the interaction or validation of others. For example, in times of sadness, they do not seek comfort from others.

5. They respect the rules when they have no choice

A misanthrope may reluctantly accept the rules, but they usually disregard them and break them if they can. For them, There is only one moral and behavioral code that is yours. Any objective other than themselves is unnecessary, as it has no value.

6. They don’t feel sorry

The misanthrope does not usually feel sorry for the misfortunes of others, unless they are from animals, in which case they could be affected. However, when faced with human death, for example, they do not demonstrate feelings of understanding or empathy. What’s more, they can even see it as something positive, since some consider it a liberation.

7. Dark and sarcastic humor

His way of laughing is usually focus on situations involving misfortunes, humiliations or unconventional settings, often with a macabre tone.

8. They are attracted to violent scenes

These people find a certain pleasure in the representation of violence, since they see no moral reasons to reject it and, sometimes, breaking social norms is rewarding.

9. They do not understand participatory spaces

For the misanthropes, collective participation is real torture. Parties, meetings and any social event are unbearable. Whether they are political, community, non-profit institutions or organizations, etc., they find it overwhelming and, what is worse, worthy of contempt.

10. They have their own morality

In addition to detesting social and legal norms, since it is their behavior that governs them, they also They have their own morals. In fact, they are capable of creating a personal ethic.

11. They distrust politics

These people view politics with skepticism and do not find value in social participation.unless it is to protect against specific threats.

12. They disregard the rules

One of the peculiarities of those who possess this trait is their resistance to the norms established by society, especially since these were established by humans. Although they have difficulty accepting guidelines from authorities, such as bosses, parents, colleagues or government entities, they tend not to violate them.

13. They have a tendency to manipulate

An article in Psychological Assessment pointed out a notable link between the misanthropic tendency and Machiavellian attitudes, supported by the principle that “The end justifies the means.” This suggests that they may act to the detriment of others, to further their own interests.

14. Pessimism about human nature

Misanthropes have a dark vision of humanity. They tend to believe that people, at their core, are prone to act selfishly and not necessarily based on the common good or goodness.

15. Tendency to criticize

People with strong misanthropic tendencies tend to be hypercritical of others. Their willingness to point out flaws, errors, or shortcomings may be more a reflection of their distrust of humanity than of objective reality.

Recognized misanthropes

At the beginning of this article we talked about Alan Moore, an artist who considers himself a recognized misanthrope. However, Jack Nicholson, the famous actor, is also said to have a similar way of thinking.

So, to give us an idea, there is a rumor (perhaps quite true) that the film Couldn’t be betterstarring Jack Nicholson, could reflect his real personality to a certain extent, by showing certain misanthropic traits.

If you remember the movie, you surely recognize certain facts of misanthropy in the main character. A sullen, lonely man, who seeks the minimum social interaction, always with the same people and when he has no other choice.

Final considerations

The nature and behavior of the misanthrope is the result of a combination of personal experiences, reflections and perceptions about humanity. While it can be easy to judge or misunderstand these people, it is essential to remember that, like any other individual, their perspective is shaped by their history and experiences.

Understanding misanthropy allows us not only to understand those who experience it, but also to reflect on our own relationship with society and humanity as a whole. We should not condemn these people for being who they are, but accept them and recognize that we are all different

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