Some people don't like themselves. They hide this from themselves by thinking they don’t like other people. They often bristle like a porcupine any time someone gets too close. That, or the opposite: they need to be insulated by other people's skin at all times. These are contrasting expressions of the same fundamental fracture. A person cannot... See more

The philosopher Ingrid Vendrell Ferran reminds us that hatred also involves seeing the other as a threat to your self-worth. This threat can concern your physical and mental health, your image, or something you value. For instance, your boss’s manipulation dehumanizes you, threatening your value as a person. Furthermore, you cannot reason with... See more

Attacking an outsider makes them all insiders. This is why the worst cases of bullying happen with groups. Ask any nerd: you get much worse treatment from a group of kids than from any individual bully, however sadistic.