Sadism is a personality trait that is characterized by the enjoyment of another's pain and suffering.
In this post we'll discuss a bit about Sadism and its various forms.
Sadism in its most basic form is simply a personality trait found not just in humans but also in other animals, there are disputes as to exactly how this trait arises. This trait is very similar to and sometimes used interchangeably with narcissistic personality although sadism by itself is not narcissistic, but does involve elements of power seeking and subjugation including humiliation.
There are various forms in which Sadism may manifest itself:
Healthy Sadism: As discussed above, sadism by itself is not necessarily a bad trait as long as it is used in a proper context and serves the social frame of reference and does no moral harm to the society at large. This particular form can include power play but more of a sort of social competition with no obsessions attached.
Grandiose Sadism: This particular version of a sadist has almost all the features typical of a narcissist. They will push your personal boundaries with no respect to any frame of reference except themselves. In such cases the sadist is usually extremely dominating and can display harmful behavior if pushed beyond a certain limit.
Vulnerable Sadism: Typical masochists who love being humiliated, they're just the mirror versions of sadists playing the opposite role. Although we now call them together as sado masochists. But, they're essentially just inverted reflections of each other.
Sexual Sadism: A sub variant of above mentioned traits with mixed features but not in public but private, these can be real monsters at times like the infamous nobleman and author Sade, they destroy the core fabric of the society that is family, and the lives of countless women. This does not mean that women cannot play a devilish role, they do too especially in today's hyper consumerist societies such women can play a dominating role which is like a double edged sword, which can spice up life or destroy it.
Like any personality trait, sadism if used to extreme can result in destruction of one's self worth and used correctly can be used to curb the wrong things and letting the right things in, that is if we are to see sadism as way and means of subjugation, for example law too is a kind of subjugation but a positive one. Ultimately, it is the social consensus and our own conscience that can validate a certain trait as good or bad, and this must be made equitable enough thus strengthen our social structures and giving a stronger moral fabric to our society to fall back on.
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