Schadenfreude is ‘pleasure derived from another’s misfortune’. It can therefore be considered slightly unreasonable, depending upon precisely what misfortune someone else has wrought that you find amusing. Nonetheless, it is a human trait, something we have all felt, whether we care to admit it or show it. It may be something as simple as finding a YouTube fail compilation funny. You know the sort of stuff; people falling over onto their rears, someone spills a glass, etc. No one gets hurt, and everyone, including the butt of the incident, can laugh about it. I readily admit to laughing at such moments, and I have laughed at my own misfortune and idiocy when I have been in those moments.
I don’t tend to derive amusement from moments of serious pain and anguish. Yes, the question can be raised ‘does someone who treated their employees badly deserve it when they quit, and cause them trouble’, but that does not mean I would take entertainment or amusement from such a scenario. It can satisfying to see crooked leaders or bosses get their just desserts, but… hmm, come to think of it, is that a form of pleasure in another’s misfortune? It could be regarded in that way, and that is a slightly unsavoury thing, even though it is also a very human thing.
Do you have feelings and moments of schadenfreude? Do you feel guilty when you do? Let me know!
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I would never have such feelings towards someone who was a horrible human being if they suffered something awful. Like a graze from a sniper bullet.
But, I would get a twinge of joy from seeing how pale and ill they looked at having to face a new political opponent.
I think we’re supposed to be a little ashamed of our Schadenfreude moments, though. They remind us that, while we can take some pleasure in the misfortunes of others, we still recognize that makes us jerks too. I don’t know… it’s interesting to think about though!