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Nemesis (philosophy)

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Nemesis (Greek: νέμεσις) is a philosophical term first created by Aristotle in his Nichomachean Ethics. The term means one who feels pain caused by others' undeserved success. It is part of a trio of terms, with epikhairekakia (ἐπιχαιρεκακία ) meaning one who takes pleasure in others' pain, similar to Schadenfreude, and phthonos (φθόνος) meaning one who feels pain caused by any pleasure, deserved or not, similar to envy.[1][2]

It is the opposite of pity, as pity is pain at undeserved misfortune.[3]

References

  1. ^ Pedrick, Victoria; Oberhelman, Steven M. (2006). The Soul of Tragedy: Essays on Athenian Drama. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-65306-8.
  2. ^ Nicomachean Ethics, 2.7.1108b1-10
  3. ^ Golden, Leon. "Aristotle". Florida International University. Florida International University. Retrieved 16 November 2014.