Frank Discussion on Hate

[Violet]

Instead of all these metaphorical definitions... let us go with the one that is applicable and intuitive: Love is an 'acute' liking... hate is an acute disliking. Wasn't that easy?

This line pretty much sums up your entire post and I completely agree. I would add that 'acute' is meant in the extreme. Hate is extreme dislike. But isn't that just the surface? Just the meaning of the word?

Racism is hatred. Rage fueled, irrational hatred. I sincerely doubt that neo-nazi skinheads are only experiencing acute dislike for black skinned people. It's more than that. It is destructive dislike taken to an obsessive level. Philosophical definitions begin to have a place in the discussion again when you look at it that way.

It isn't always an extreme though... sometimes it is used for relatively simple gestures as "I love the ballet" (as a virtual replacement for like). I say acute to suggest that there is a subtle difference in the words that give love and hate more emphasis... in example: "I like to party!" and "I love to party"... just saying it aloud, one can feel the "relish" behind 'love' that is missing in 'like'. In another example... "I dislike dancing" and "I hate dancing"... just saying it aloud, one can feel the "venom" behind 'hate' that is absent in 'dislike'. And each of these words (love and hate) will accomplish very slightly different feelings in the people around a person.... Observe:

You are at a ball with your new girlfriend, and she is positively thrilled about dancing. When she asks if you'd like to dance... if you say, "I dislike dancing": she might beg for you to give it a go with her, where she will enjoy herself (even with you tripping over your overlarge feet). Whereas... if you say, "I hate dancing": she might be disappointed, and perhaps sullenly watch the other people dancing as she thinks about something you will both like to do... then she will invite you to her home for the night, where you will enjoy your night instead of fucking dancing. Also note: of instead you said, "I don't dance": she will roll her eyes, dump you on the spot, and go find herself a dancer... as you go home and get to sleep.

Further, observe:

Your new boyfriend comes to your house, tells you about a party, and asks if you'd like parties. If you answer him with, "I like to party": he'll pick you up at 'eight', and will drive into a forest at 100 kmh, killing you both. Fucking drunkard. If you said, "I love to party!": he'll pick you up at 'seven', get to the party early, have you drink the punch, leave with you, take you to a shack in the woods, rape you, and make you his slave for life. Fucking rapist. If, however... you said, "I don't party": He will promptly leave you for the fiery european lass next door, who will pull a gun on him when he opens the door, expecting her husband. Fucking asshole got what he deserved.


In seriousness though:
Racism can be hatred... but sometimes it is just fear... or even idolization. Racism can be 'positive' too, you know...

What we fear: we dislike. What makes us angry: we dislike. What hurts us: we dislike. Dislike is a broad word

Perhaps it is only that though: an obsession. And all definitions are philosophical ^_^

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That love makes you do stupid things doesn't make love bad. Obsession is love plus lack of control. Love on it's own isn't these things.
There's justified anger and hate.. again... different things. Hatred doesn't bring about justice. anger - controlled and tempered.. brings about justice.

Alcohol makes you do stupid things... that doesn't make it bad? Obsession isn't always about love... it is rather "an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind"... in other words: one can make vengeance their obsession... insomuch as one might make suicide their obsession (and i don't mean to imply this is intentional).

Love on it's own is simply itself... and love in itself can be a very 'negative' thing. Anger is "a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility"... Hatred is "a feeling of intense, passionate dislike". Hence: anger is necessarily dislike.

I have heard it questioned that anger and hate are ever justified at all... but it remains that a bloody carrot can bring about "justice": whyever could hatred not? Indeed... hatred is often the root of vengeance... and vengeance is considered by many people (especially through history and some religions) as 'just'. Anger is as likely as hatred to bring justice about... and indeed it could be questioned that they are so different at all.