Contempt | con· tempt | \ kən-ˈtem(p)t
- the act of despising: the state of mind of one who despises: disdain glared at him in contempt
- lack of respect or reverence for something acting with contempt for public safety
- the state of being despised
- willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body contempt of court
Contempt, not classified among Paul Ekman’s six basic emotions of anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise, is a mixture of disgust and anger. The word originated in 1393, from the Latin word contemptuous meaning “scorn”. It is the past participle of contemnere and from com- intensive prefix + temnere “to slight, scorn”. Contemptuous appeared in 1529.
Robert C. Solomon places contempt on the same continuum as resentment and anger, and he argues that the differences between the three are that resentment is anger directed toward a higher-status individual; anger is directed toward an equal-status individual, and contempt is anger directed toward a lower-status individual.
04-11-19 For Real by Okkervill River
04-11-19 There's a point of contempt where not even the pain/anger from the emotion is present. You've given in so much into the rage/sadness that drives this emotion and have lost all hope. For Real by Okkervil River captures this moment perfectly. Most every song of...
04-10-19 Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire) by YACHT
04-10-19 Last week, April 1st-April 7th, there were numerous alarming ecological reports, as well as many comments from politicians rebutting the implications these reports were citing. It's interesting because just this day there was a global frenzy for the efforts...
04-09-19 Regan by Killer Mike
04-09-19 Killer Mike's, Regan, was never intended to be a political piece, but rather a social commentary on the effects seen from Presidential administrations since at least Ronald Regan's tenure. Throughout the song he lays out his view of the world as it is today,...
04-08-19 Weird by Menomena
04-08-19 The gift of gab isn’t something I ever felt like I was born with, contrary to what others may say, it’s something I have consciously worked at understanding and perfecting for all appropriate times. One of the most influential teachers for me was one of the...
04-07-19 No Children by The Mountain Goats
04-07-19 This song is the epitome of contempt. Its whole purpose is centered around a profound agitation for the person they have ended up with, and instead of taking measures to correct the relationship or leave entirely, they have relegated themselves to this...
04-06-19 Samson by Regina Spektor
04-06-19 Young love is one of the most powerful motivators, there isn’t any life-experience to compare what a person is going through, so everything feels imperative, and world-stopping. I like to think of it as the sting of a young scorpion; baby scorpions can...
04-05-19 Abel by The National
04-05-19 The story of Cain & Abel is one which supposedly details the world’s first murder, an act which is the embodiment of contempt. Cain felt the Lord take favor with Abel, and in his jealousy and contempt, he killed his brother. When the Lord asked if Cain had...