The Truth About Sadism
by Stefan Molyneux
A series from philosopher Stefan Molyneux, Host of Freedomain.
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Podcast episodes
Season 1
Part 1
Transcript: https://freedomain.com/the-truth-about-sadism-part-1/ Chapters 0:00:00 Introduction to the Fascinating Topic of Sadism 0:03:50 Society's Dysfunctions and the Relationship to Sadistic Tendencies 0:07:05 The Suspension of Disbelief and Sadistic Satisfaction in Fictional Violence 0:07:29 The Complexity of Sadism and Paraphilias 0:12:48 Paraphilias and the Distinction from Healthy Sexuality 0:18:16 Hypermasculinity and the Capacity to Avoid Empathy 0:21:05 Women's Expectations of Selective Empathy in Men 0:28:12 The dynamics of power and masochism in relationships. 0:32:10 The nature of women's thrill in being desired. 0:35:50 The importance of bravery in pursuing attractive partners. 0:38:42 The Pitfalls of Settling for Less 0:47:22 Freud's Observations on Sadism and Masochism 0:49:06 The Purpose of Pleasure: Selfishness or Pair Bonding? 0:54:15 Gifts and Abilities: Serving Self or World? 0:56:51 The Dehumanization of Excellence and Competition 1:00:03 Domination and Submission: The Absence of Reason and Negotiation Long Summary In this episode, we dive into the intriguing topic of sadism and masochism. The main-speaker finds it personally fascinating, as it is a mindset that they cannot fully comprehend. They approach the subject from an anthropological standpoint, aiming to explore it without constantly passing moral judgment. Sadism is defined as deriving pleasure from causing pain to others, while consensual acts of physical pain or humiliation for sexual gratification are known as BDSM. The speaker believes that these behaviors, as long as they are consensual and do not cause irreversible harm, may not be a moral concern. They also argue that many dysfunctions in society may have a sexual element to them, such as the behavior of a stereotypical Karen or couples engaging in hostile fights. Additionally, the power dynamics and domination involved in public rituals or workplace hierarchies can have sadistic components. The main-speaker expresses their personal perplexity towards sadism, but expresses an interest in exploring it without constantly condemning it.
Part 2
Transcript: https://freedomain.com/the-truth-about-sadism-part-2/ Chapters 0:00:00 The prevalence of sadism in society 0:01:41 Cruelty and sadism in various aspects of life 0:03:28 The role of pain and pleasure in our behavior 0:05:32 Programming and exploitation of pleasure signals 0:08:07 The impact of societal changes on our emotions and behavior 0:09:49 Conforming to Tribal Expectations for Protection 0:14:21 Humiliation Breeds Cruelty and Exploitation 0:16:34 Overcoming Natural Instincts and Training into Cruelty 0:20:02 From reactive abuse to gaining value from abuse. 0:23:17 Sadism as a shield against vulnerability and inadequacy. 0:29:40 The Cycle of Abuse and Humiliation Begins 0:31:08 Blaming and Humiliating the Broken for Being Broken 0:33:35 Escalation of Attacks and the French Revolution Story Long Summary In part two of this podcast episode, we delve into the prevalence of sadistic tendencies in society. We examine an experiment from 2013, which showed that a significant percentage of people volunteered to harm insects with cute names, highlighting the existence of cruelty within the population. Our exploration extends to various aspects of popular culture, including horror movies, sadistic literature, and the pursuit of BDSM lifestyles and pornography, indicating a broader presence of sadism. Furthermore, we discover evidence of cruelty and sadism in class warfare, racial hostilities, aggressive political discourse, cancel culture, and the dehumanization of welfare programs, suggesting that our society has cultivated a certain level of cruelty and dehumanization. I emphasize that while cruelty and sadism are not identical, they are closely related, with individuals easily becoming desensitized and finding pleasure in causing harm to others. However, a lack of comprehensive data on the prevalence of sadism leaves much to speculation, although existing evidence suggests a potentially widespread occurrence. We explore how pain and pleasure, as natural survival mechanisms, can be manipulated and exploited in the modern world. This manipulation leads to issues such as overconsumption and health problems like diabetes, as evidenced by the high prevalence of diabetes in the United States. Additionally, we recognize the crucial role emotions play in our lives, providing us with valuable information about our environment and influencing our decision-making process. We discuss the concept of the false self, which emerges from the conformity required in tribal systems for protection and survival. The development of a false self often involves adopting false beliefs and suppressing individual thoughts, stemming from a fear of humiliation. This false self can lead individuals to exhibit indifference and cruelty, particularly if they have experienced abuse and developed defense mechanisms to cope. When deprived of status or humiliated, our natural instinct is to regain that status, often at the expense of others who are weaker. This cycle of humiliation and retaliation perpetuates cruelty and can be observed across different dynamics, such as in sibling relationships and societal conflicts. We acknowledge that breaking free from this cycle requires self-discipline, empathy, and a conscious effort to resist the urge to humiliate others. Furthermore, we explore the addiction to justification for cruel behaviors, often driven by the desire to reaffirm one's sense of status and self-worth. This addiction can become detached from the initial roots of cruelty, leading individuals to seek constant justification rather than addressing the underlying feelings of vulnerability and inadequacy.
Part 3
Transcript: https://freedomain.com/the-truth-about-sadism-part-3-transcript/ Chapters 0:00:00 The Marquis de Sade: A Terrifying Legacy 0:09:11 The Power of Excessive Praise and Addiction 0:12:21 Control through Addiction: Praise and Criticism 0:15:20 Childhood Experiences and Affectionate Figures in De Sade's Life 0:17:51 Forced Marriage and Complicity of De Sade's Wife 0:20:51 De Sade's Release and Inheritance of Title 0:23:49 De Sade's Imprisonment and Transfer to Insane Asylum 0:26:21 De Sade's Imprisonment for Criticizing Robespierre 0:34:49 Cruelty as the First Sentiment in Nature 0:37:42 The Profound Impact of the Scientific Revolution 0:40:51 Science vs. Religion: The Battle for Morality 0:43:24 The Agricultural Revolution and its Effects on Humanity 0:48:43 The Origin of Morality and its Connection to Religion 0:52:28 The Link Between Morality and Belief in the Divine Long Summary In this part of the conversation, we explore the life and works of the Marquis de Sade and the societal implications they reveal. De Sade's books, Justine and Philosophy in the Bedroom, delve into explicit sexual perversions and promote cruelty and violence as natural human tendencies. We also discuss how de Sade's works have been adapted into films, such as Salo, or 120 Days of Sodom and The Last Tango in Paris, known for their malevolence and nihilism. Moving on to de Sade's life, we learn that he was born into a noble family in Paris and grew up with a sense of superiority and entitlement, which contributed to his haughtiness and anger towards others. We delve into how aristocracy, with its inbreeding and pampering of vanity, fosters and nourishes sadistic tendencies within the ruling classes. This sense of superiority and entitlement sets the stage for violence to flourish in society. We explore how excessive praise and contempt towards certain segments of society lay the groundwork for future violence. The belief in one's perfection and divine status justifies violence against those who oppose their will. Additionally, we discuss how unearned superiority breeds exploitation and harm, using examples of how constant praise without consequences can create criminals, particularly in single mother and son relationships. We delve into the early life of a historical figure named Dessard, who exhibited violent behavior from a young age due to being indulged and not empathized with. Excessive praise is seen as a form of control and punishment, leading individuals to lose touch with reality and become dependent on the praises or criticisms of others. This dynamic is compared to addiction. The media is also highlighted as using praise and criticism as control mechanisms. We then shift to the early experiences of Dessard, who was influenced by his libertine uncle's behavior and further fueled his entitlement and defiance.
Part 4
Transcript: https://freedomain.com/the-truth-about-sadism-part-4-transcript/ Chapters 0:00:00 Sadism Part 4: Exploring Sadism with regards to children 0:03:24 Evolution of cruelty and moral theories in human beings 0:06:01 Creating abstract values to enhance tribal unity and ferocity 0:09:59 Infusing children with a sense of tribal superiority 0:12:29 Loyalty to abstractions and the role of sports 0:20:01 The Time Spent on Sports: A Surprising Calculation 0:23:05 Breaking Children's Minds: The Role of Hatred and Loyalty 0:24:34 Breaking Children's Natural Empiricism 0:29:56 Prussian Education: Compliance and Conformity 0:34:05 The Importance of Understanding Opposing Beliefs 0:36:31 Indoctrination vs. Facilitation in Education 0:42:34 Catholic People's School: Resistance and Punishment 0:52:22 The Irrelevance of Credentialism 0:57:50 Credentialism Breeds Aggression and Sadism Long Summary In this episode, we explore the troubling topic of sadism, particularly with regards to children. We emphasize that our analysis is aimed at understanding the evolution of cruelty, rather than justifying it morally. We begin by discussing the concept of loyalty to one's tribe, highlighting its importance in early tribal conflicts over resources. We explain that tribal unity and ferocity relied on an abstract value that made their tribe morally superior, motivating youths to fight harder and even sacrifice themselves. However, with loyalty comes the risk of betrayal, and tribes had to find ways to create a stronger sense of loyalty and unity within their members. This is where nationalism and tribalism come into play, as individuals believe that their tribe is the best and superior to others. We share our own childhood experience of being taught to have pride in our tribe and touch on the idea of eternal rewards for fighters in different religions and superstitions. Moving on, we discuss the delicate nature of instilling loyalty in children and how governments fund sports to create loyalty to the nation-state and abstract concepts. We mention the story of Macbeth as an example of creating an abstraction to maintain power, although we note its philosophical flaws due to censorship and the author's need to survive. We express disbelief and critique the obsessive nature of sports for some people, highlighting the significant amount of time and energy invested in something as fleeting as sports. We then shift our focus to the harmful practices of education and punishment towards children. We stress the importance of facilitating learning rather than indoctrinating and encourage fostering a mindset that embraces curiosity and welcomes doubts. We discuss the negative response that many adults have towards children's curiosity, which reflects their own lack of identity and conformity. We condemn physical violence and explore alternative forms of punishment, such as humiliation and exclusion, which perpetuate harm. Furthermore, we delve into the historical context of child assault in the Prussian education system and its sadistic nature. We describe the engraving of a teacher administering a beating, highlighting the erotic and traumatic aspects of such punishments. We share the story of a resistance movement by students in Poland against German language instruction in schools, which resulted in detentions and physical punishment. We acknowledge that the current educational system promotes obedience over critical thinking and suppresses children's natural inclination to question authority.
Part 5
Transcript: https://freedomain.com/the-truth-about-sadism-part-5-transcript/ Chapters 0:00:00 Sadism: Evolution and Forms 0:02:26 Society's Definition of Evil and Individual Application of Principles 0:10:23 The Cycle of Sadism and Christianity's Understanding 0:14:17 Breaking the Cycle of Sadism and the Loss of Morality 0:20:20 Morality as a Tool for Preying on Others 0:23:34 The Functional Role of Sadism in Systems of Power 0:26:36 Understanding the Morbid Perversion of Sadistic Behavior 0:29:34 The Shift from Evil to Mental Dysfunction 0:31:54 The Concept of Moral Mania and its Implications 0:41:37 Sadists as Degenerates in Victorian Era 0:43:44 Degenerates vs. Evil: Clarifying Moral Terminology 0:43:56 The Definition of Evil and Social Norms 0:46:33 The Source of Evil: Unrecognized Child Abuse Long Summary In this episode of the podcast/show, I explore the concept of sadism and its evolution as a form of immorality. I delve into the different aspects of sadism, with a focus on moral sadism, which involves doing evil under the guise of good. I discuss examples of how this form of sadism manifests, such as the manipulation of victims into believing that harm being inflicted is justified or necessary for the greater good. Additionally, I highlight the double standards in society that define certain actions as evil when done by individuals but excuse them when carried out by those in power. I then discuss the traditional religious perspective on sadism, particularly within Christianity, which associates it with the devil's temptation towards cruelty. I contrast this with the secular shift that has labeled sadism as a mental illness rather than an inherent evil. I argue that this dismissal of the moral dimension of suffering is a sadistic act in itself, as it denies the existence of good and evil. We also explore the consequences of sadistic actions, noting that while they may provide short-term pleasure for the perpetrator, they ultimately cause long-lasting negative effects on the victims and society as a whole. I discuss the link between sadism and addiction, explaining how individuals who have experienced suffering or have engaged in evil acts may find themselves trapped in a cycle of dysfunction and unhappiness. As we transition to discussing the absence of morality in secular society, I highlight the challenges in explaining destructive behavior without the concepts of God, Satan, and temptation. I argue that rejecting morality allows power-seeking individuals to manipulate and prey upon others without resistance. I discuss how this instrumental use of morality to control and exploit others is akin to a sadistic act. Furthermore, I examine the historical perspective on sadism, referencing the works of James Cowles Pritchard, who described it as a morbid perversion of natural feelings and inclinations. I caution against pathologizing non-conformist behavior without considering the psychological factors involved. The conversation then shifts to the relationship between evil and mental health. I emphasize that individuals can display sadistic behavior without any brain damage or insanity. I refer to the works of Pritchard, who argued that immoral behavior could stem from a perversion of natural inclinations rather than intellectual impairment. I discuss how psychiatry emerged as a distinct medical field in the 19th century, leading to a transition from priests to doctors and psychiatrists in explaining moral conduct.