Is there an emotion that specifically means "feeling morally superior?"
October 24, 2008 8:19 AM Subscribe
Is there an emotion that specifically means "feeling morally superior?"
Much like how the single word "schadenfreude" means "feeling pleasure at other's misfortune," is there a single specific word that means "feeling morally superior?"
Common words such as "arrogance" strike me as being way too vague, or descriptive of conduct (ie: "smug") rather than the underlying emotion itself. More obscure terms (for example, the "sucker-to-saint effect"), seem to follow the same pattern; there are plenty of terms related the emotion, but no terms that actually mean the emotion itself.
Much like how the single word "schadenfreude" means "feeling pleasure at other's misfortune," is there a single specific word that means "feeling morally superior?"
Common words such as "arrogance" strike me as being way too vague, or descriptive of conduct (ie: "smug") rather than the underlying emotion itself. More obscure terms (for example, the "sucker-to-saint effect"), seem to follow the same pattern; there are plenty of terms related the emotion, but no terms that actually mean the emotion itself.
Hubris? Sort of an emotion.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:28 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by cjorgensen at 8:28 AM on October 24, 2008
Self-righteousness is what I came here to suggest.
posted by peacheater at 8:30 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by peacheater at 8:30 AM on October 24, 2008
To add on to nat, there's also sanctimonious. Sort of. I'd go with self-righteous, though.
posted by phunniemee at 8:30 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 8:30 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
SMUG
posted by Relly70 at 8:39 AM on October 24, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by Relly70 at 8:39 AM on October 24, 2008 [4 favorites]
I think "sanctimonious" is what you're looking for.
posted by BobbyVan at 8:45 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by BobbyVan at 8:45 AM on October 24, 2008
Holier-than-thou (though I like "sanctimonious" better).
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:53 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:53 AM on October 24, 2008
SMUG
That's exactly what I was going to say. "Smugness" seems quite legit to me.
posted by Nelsormensch at 8:54 AM on October 24, 2008
That's exactly what I was going to say. "Smugness" seems quite legit to me.
posted by Nelsormensch at 8:54 AM on October 24, 2008
To me, self-righteous, smug and sanctimonious are all how someone would describe someone else who was feeling morally superior - they're words of judgment. I think the OP is looking for words that describe how it feels to feel morally superior. Personally, I've always described it simply as "feeling morally superior" so I don't have any good answers.
posted by amandarose at 9:07 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by amandarose at 9:07 AM on October 24, 2008
haughty?
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:21 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:21 AM on October 24, 2008
Perhaps this isn't quite what the OP wanted, but whenever I feel morally superior to someone, I feel GOOD.
posted by chrisinseoul at 9:21 AM on October 24, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by chrisinseoul at 9:21 AM on October 24, 2008 [2 favorites]
Schadenfreude is a compound German word (damage, joy), so phrases such as "feeling morally superior" are in some ways the same thing.
posted by mandal at 9:22 AM on October 24, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by mandal at 9:22 AM on October 24, 2008 [2 favorites]
Well, take out the "self", and righteous is a term that's used fairly often in self-description. Also upright and honorable. But those are adjectives, whereas "feeling morally superior" is an action.
posted by clerestory at 9:26 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by clerestory at 9:26 AM on October 24, 2008
Psychokick: Would "the feeling of moral superiority" be a better description of the word you're looking for?
posted by zamboni at 9:29 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by zamboni at 9:29 AM on October 24, 2008
Enlightened. Humble.
You want to describe someone who feels morally superior as if they're describing themselves, the word has to have a positive connotation.
All these words have negative connotations, and are usually used in a derogatory context. If someone is generally feeling morally superior, and they realize it as such, and they're being totally genuine about it, then they won't feel "holier-than-though"- because they recognize that feeling that way is not a position of moral superiority.
I just have images of Buddhists floating through my head. Lots of Buddhists.
posted by unexpected at 9:44 AM on October 24, 2008
You want to describe someone who feels morally superior as if they're describing themselves, the word has to have a positive connotation.
All these words have negative connotations, and are usually used in a derogatory context. If someone is generally feeling morally superior, and they realize it as such, and they're being totally genuine about it, then they won't feel "holier-than-though"- because they recognize that feeling that way is not a position of moral superiority.
I just have images of Buddhists floating through my head. Lots of Buddhists.
posted by unexpected at 9:44 AM on October 24, 2008
"Self-righteous" seems to be the only one that's exactly what you're talking about.
"Exultant," "smug," "hubris," "arrogant" -- none of those quite convey the idea that "I'm morally superior to other people." You could be smug in thinking you're incredibly beautiful or intelligent or talented -- that wouldn't mean you feel morally superior.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:47 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
"Exultant," "smug," "hubris," "arrogant" -- none of those quite convey the idea that "I'm morally superior to other people." You could be smug in thinking you're incredibly beautiful or intelligent or talented -- that wouldn't mean you feel morally superior.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:47 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
Sanctimonious or pious?
posted by Happy Dave at 9:51 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by Happy Dave at 9:51 AM on October 24, 2008
Not sure if this is what psychokick is getting at, but smug has negative connotations. I wouldn't want to describe myself as being smug, even when it might be apt.
Satisfied, on the other hand, can be used to carry the same meaning in a way that's not automatically negative. "I felt satisfied with myself for avoiding the three-card monte game that sucked in my friends." (could also be relief)
That might not be strong enough for moral superiority. To personalize it, I might not describe my feelings towards myself, but my feelings towards others "I felt so sorry for those poor people playing three-card monte." (could also be contempt, pity, incredulity, scorn, etc)
posted by adamrice at 9:51 AM on October 24, 2008
Satisfied, on the other hand, can be used to carry the same meaning in a way that's not automatically negative. "I felt satisfied with myself for avoiding the three-card monte game that sucked in my friends." (could also be relief)
That might not be strong enough for moral superiority. To personalize it, I might not describe my feelings towards myself, but my feelings towards others "I felt so sorry for those poor people playing three-card monte." (could also be contempt, pity, incredulity, scorn, etc)
posted by adamrice at 9:51 AM on October 24, 2008
Righteous indignation.
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:00 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:00 AM on October 24, 2008
In a situation where I believe myself to be morally superior, my emotional state is usually sad, if not griefstricken.
...but them I'm a pretty lame human being so evidence of someone lower than me is really a bad sign for our species.
What you're probably looking for is "contempt," though. People who feel that emotion are not, in fact, morally superior despite what they believe.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 10:03 AM on October 24, 2008
...but them I'm a pretty lame human being so evidence of someone lower than me is really a bad sign for our species.
What you're probably looking for is "contempt," though. People who feel that emotion are not, in fact, morally superior despite what they believe.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 10:03 AM on October 24, 2008
I came in to suggest "haughty", so add my +1 to that column.
posted by rokusan at 10:04 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by rokusan at 10:04 AM on October 24, 2008
I think "self-righteous" is the best word, but I am compelled to contribute something new -- perhaps "unctuous" will tickle your fancy.
posted by pluckemin at 10:34 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by pluckemin at 10:34 AM on October 24, 2008
"contempt, pity, incredulity, scorn"
I think adamrice is onto something here, in that those are the types of words one would use to describe oneself if feeling that type of emotion. Those describe *my own* emotions so to speak.
On the other hand, smug, self-righteous, sanctimonious, and condescending are all words we would use to describe *someone else* who is feeling contempt, pity, incredulity, scorn, etc.
"Moral contempt" is perhaps pretty close to what you're asking for (the "moral" added because you can feel contempt for people for other reasons than moral ones).
posted by flug at 10:38 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
I think adamrice is onto something here, in that those are the types of words one would use to describe oneself if feeling that type of emotion. Those describe *my own* emotions so to speak.
On the other hand, smug, self-righteous, sanctimonious, and condescending are all words we would use to describe *someone else* who is feeling contempt, pity, incredulity, scorn, etc.
"Moral contempt" is perhaps pretty close to what you're asking for (the "moral" added because you can feel contempt for people for other reasons than moral ones).
posted by flug at 10:38 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
Mood: high horse
posted by sub-culture at 11:49 AM on October 24, 2008
posted by sub-culture at 11:49 AM on October 24, 2008
rectitude gets at the morally correct, although not necessarily superior bit.
Some obscurities from the OED:
justful defined as "Just, rightful, righteous."
antecellency, "The quality of excelling, superiority."
betterhood, "The state or condition of being better; superiority", and
owrance, "The position of being over; superiority, ascendancy, mastery, control."
But I think sanctimonious, in the pejorative sense, is pretty accurate.
And to keep it simple, if imprecise, there's always plain old pride, which can be either a virtue or a sin.
posted by alb at 12:13 PM on October 24, 2008
Some obscurities from the OED:
justful defined as "Just, rightful, righteous."
antecellency, "The quality of excelling, superiority."
betterhood, "The state or condition of being better; superiority", and
owrance, "The position of being over; superiority, ascendancy, mastery, control."
But I think sanctimonious, in the pejorative sense, is pretty accurate.
And to keep it simple, if imprecise, there's always plain old pride, which can be either a virtue or a sin.
posted by alb at 12:13 PM on October 24, 2008
proud
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:59 PM on October 24, 2008
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:59 PM on October 24, 2008
Best answer: The word you're looking for is "supercilious." I'm surprised no one else has posted it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:02 AM on October 25, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:02 AM on October 25, 2008 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Here's Roget's on "self-righteous" which lists a few other ideas. I suppose you can always add "ness" if you want the emotion instead of the adjective.
posted by nat at 8:26 AM on October 24, 2008