Schadenfreude, a German term that has been adopted into English and other languages, describes the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, or humiliation of another. It is a complex emotion where, rather than feeling sympathy, one takes a certain pleasure from watching someone’s misfortune. This might be considered morally and ethically questionable, but it can also be viewed as a natural human reaction to the perceived balancing of scales, especially if the person suffering is thought to deserve it.

The concept is deeply ingrained in human psychology and has been a subject of interest and analysis in various fields including philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Philosophically, it might be scrutinized under the lens of ethics and morality; psychologically, it might be considered in terms of emotional regulation and social dynamics; sociologically, it might reflect on cultural attitudes towards competition and success.

The existence of the term itself suggests that the feeling is not only universal but also significant enough to have been singled out for identification. It is a testament to the complexity of human emotions and the sometimes paradoxical nature of our social interactions.

Etymology and German translation—