Re: genetic unselfishness

From: Damien Broderick (d.broderick@english.unimelb.edu.au)
Date: Mon Jan 24 2000 - 08:47:42 MST


At 04:23 PM 24/01/00 +0100, Joao Pedro de Magalhaes wrote:

>I believe that there is some genetic mechanism to
>make humans take pleasure out of other humans' pleasure.

And of course out of others' displeasure. (The Germans have a useful word
for this.)

In fact, in my forthcoming book TRANSREALIST FICTION I coin a term for the
pleasure we receive in *hearing about* the misfortunes of others, at great
length: Scheherazadenfreude.

Damien



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