Re: Meaning of Schadenfreude

From: Karey Perkins (karey@CHARTER.NET)
Date: Wed Sep 19 2001 - 10:53:18 EDT


Peter,
I don't know what other members think, but it seems to be that the term is
close to, but not quite, exactly what Percy thinks. I don't think Percy is
talking about a "joy" that results DIRECTLY from the misfortune of others
(such as what happens when you see your enemies get their due...). I think
he's referring to an indirect result...the "joy" in the camaraderie and
sense of purpose that come when bonding together to fight for a good cause.
So I don't think he's saying people are "happy" when others suffer, or at
the prospect of suffering, but the feeling results from the fact that there
is now a purpose.

KP

-----Original Message-----
From: Walker Percy Literary and Philosophic Topics
[mailto:PERCY-L@listserv.lsu.edu]On Behalf Of P Settli
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 3:58 AM
To: PERCY-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Meaning of Schadenfreude

Are we agreed that Schadenfreude means "the malicious joy in the
misfortunate of others?" I've seen various spellings, which in
themselves have left me confused because I can't even tell if
they're deliberate, and in addition, I haven't gotten any sense of
a consensual meaning in the discussions of the concept. Could be
me but would be grateful for some clarification.

Regards,

Petter



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