Cruelty

Cruelty is pleasure in inflicting suffering or inaction towards another's suffering when a clear remedy is readily available.[1] Sadism can also be related to this form of action or concept. Cruel ways of inflicting suffering may involve violence, but affirmative violence is not necessary for an act to be cruel. For example, if a person is drowning and begging for help and another person is able to help with no cost or risk, but is merely watching with disinterest or perhaps mischievous amusement, that person is being cruel—rather than violent.

"Cruel" redirects here. For other meanings, see Cruel (disambiguation).
An old poster depicting cruelty, including selling slaves in Algiers, execution, burning, and other cruelties.

George Eliot stated that "cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside itself; it only requires opportunity."[2] Bertrand Russell stated that "the infliction of cruelty with a good conscience is a delight to moralists. That is why they invented Hell."[2] Gilbert K. Chesterton stated that "cruelty is, perhaps, the worst kind of sin. Intellectual cruelty is certainly the worst kind of cruelty."[2]

The word has metaphorical uses, for example "The cliffs remained cruel." (i.e. unclimbable when they desperately needed to be climbed) in The Lord of the Rings.

Usage in law

The term cruelty is often used in law and criminology with regard to the treatment of animals, children, spouses, and prisoners.[3] When cruelty to animals is discussed, it often refers to unnecessary suffering. In criminal law, it refers to punishment, torture, victimization, draconian measures, and cruel and unusual punishment.[4][5] In divorce cases, many jurisdictions permit a cause of action for cruel and inhumane treatment.[6]

In law, cruelty is "the infliction of physical or mental distress, especially when considered a determinant in granting a divorce."[7]

Etymology

The term comes from Middle English, via the Old French term "crualte", which is based on Latin "crudelitas", from "crudelis".[8]

gollark: There's no thermometer there, just a cognitohazard which appears to be some arbitrary object you've seen in the past.
gollark: GTech™ ominous electromagnetic transceiving cuboid™ 3125A.
gollark: Infer it yourself.
gollark: I checked on the osmarksVPS™.
gollark: It's up, so you're wrong.

See also

References

Notes
  1. "Definition of CRUEL". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  2. "Cruelty Quotes". BrainyQuote. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  3. "Cruelty". Law.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  4. "Cruelty to animals". Law.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  5. "Animal Cruelty Law & Legal Definition". USLegal.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  6. "Cruel and Inhuman Treatment Law & Legal Definition". USLegal.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  7. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
  8. "cruelty: definition of cruelty in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)". Oxforddictionaries.com. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
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