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misanthrope - Word of the Day - Mon Sep 30, 2024

Myr

Entry posted by Myr in Word of the Day

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misanthrope - (n) - a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.

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The reclusive writer was often labeled a misanthrope because he preferred the company of his books over people.

 

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drpaladin
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From the Greek

misanthrōpos, meaning hating human kind.

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drpaladin
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There can be a lot said for the qualities of a decent misanthrope. For one, if you look around, you'll find it's difficult to argue they lack good taste.

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Bill W
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Some famous philosophers were misanthropes, such as Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Arthur Schopenhauer.  Howard Hughes was also a misanthrope.  In literature, Ebeneezer Scrooge was also a misanthrope, at least until he was visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future.  Although a brilliant detective in literature, Sherlock Holmes was also a misanthrope.   

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drpaladin

drpaladin 81,241

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2 hours ago, Bill W said:

Twenty Problems Only Total Misanthropes will understand: 

https://whatculture.com/offbeat/20-problems-only-total-misanthropes-will-understand 

The wri

ter of the article makes this inane observation.

"The fact is that you have to interact with people on a daily basis if you want to be a member of modern society."

Since a true misanthrope has no use for society, why would they 'have to' interact with it?

Technology has made it possible to live and never interact with another human.

 

Edited by drpaladin
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sandrewn

Every thing said here, today, is a reflection of how we in western culture, view things. Is how we have been brought up, keeping in mind that we represent a minority in the world.

So, agreeing with what has been said and repeated over and over on all the sites(western culture). I tend to understand the suggested career choices for misanthropes. They seem like a good fit, so to speak. Also, that all of us, once we went beyond the family unit, have met and know a person with some of the characteristics mentioned here today. A friend is a friend, the only qualification that I need or require.

Good Careers for Misanthropes

 

:cowboy:

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Zombie
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3 hours ago, Bill W said:

Sherlock Holmes was also a misanthrope

don’t think he was :no: if so, a strange job choice of “consulting detective” (studying, understanding +interacting with people). Also he was a lover of music concerts, showed empathy (Blue Carbuncle), sympathy for the vulnerable (Copper Beeches), and had a strong sense of justice (Milverton)

Interestingly, though, Holmes does suggest that his brother, Mycroft, might be… :gikkle: :funny:

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drpaladin
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4 minutes ago, Zombie said:

don’t think he was :no: if so, a strange job choice of “consulting detective” (studying, understanding +interacting with people). Also he was a lover of music concerts, showed empathy (Blue Carbuncle), sympathy for the vulnerable (Copper Beeches), and had a strong sense of justice (Milverton)

Interestingly, though, Holmes does suggest that his brother, Mycroft, might be… :gikkle: :funny:

I agree.

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Paladin
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I'm beginning to wonder if the definitions of misanthrope that come up in our searches are an example of "political correctness".

I easily found this definition on line "Anthropo- comes from the Greek ánthrōpos, meaning “human being” or “man.”" Given the way women have been dismissed though history it is likely that misanthrope meant 'someone who dislikes the company of men'. Today we would have to first use "mankind" and then "humankind". I love that language does reflect society. :)

My problem is that every time I see "misanthrope" I think "mistletoe", which has parasitic relationship with it's host that a misanthrope would not understand.  

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drpaladin
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Being a site for readers,  it would be a terrible oversight to not include at least a partial list of misanthropic books.

Candide by Voltaire

Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Stranger by Albert Camus

No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre 

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Rabbit, Run by John Updike

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drpaladin
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@Zombie You did such a fine job of defending Sherlock Holmes you get an honorary powdered peruke wig.  

Deloused, of course.

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sandrewn

I'm back, 11 comments, impressive, and then, my meds kicked in, or that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Next was, full moon? But 17 Sept was the only one this month. Who cares, I was off to the races once again. Thus Misanthrope, become Lycanthrope (in my mind).

LYCANTHROPE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

Warren Zevon - Werewolves Of London (Official Music Video) [HD] - YouTube

How in the hell you ask, don't know, don't care, don't ask. Of course with the only FM being on the 17th Sept, that thought was dead in the water. So no answer as to why so many replies today. This was my two cents worth for today. I'll try to find some more loose change for what ever comes tomorrow.

:cowboy:

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JamesSavik
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Myr: The reclusive writer was often labeled a misanthrope because he preferred the company of his books over people.

No silly. It's cats I like better than people. Cat's are assholes, but you can never tell about people. At least cats are consistent.

 

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Paladin
5 hours ago, drpaladin said:

Being a site for readers,  it would be a terrible oversight to not include at least a partial list of misanthropic books.

Candide by Voltaire

Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Stranger by Albert Camus

No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre 

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Rabbit, Run by John Updike

You left out the play The Misanthrope by Molière to provide balance :)

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drpaladin
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1 hour ago, Paladin said:

You left out the play The Misanthrope by Molière to provide balance :)

It's a play. I left out Shakespeare and Beckett too.

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