Talk:Envy

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Contents

[edit] Major cuts in article

I have made some major changes in this article: - combined the "envy in religion" and "biblical envy" parts. - shortened the number of biblical examples, but added the commandment on envy - added a part about the two natures of envy (a positive and a negative one) - removed the envy and behavior part, as it has no references and is a mix of a number of unrelated (and unimportant?) points. - "envy and injustice" could not stay, as it lacked references. Although this might be important, the current version had to go. Sinas 10:21, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

The references about envy and justice was already stated in the artical.

[edit] Original Research

Most of this article appears to be Original Research, and could probably use some references. If I have some time I'll try but in that there are active editors here please consider adding references to the article.--Flawiki 20:20, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

I've changed the previous definition of envy on this page into the one that is most commonly used in scientific and philosophical articles related to envy. If anyone has any comments, feel free to let me know as this is my first entry on Wikipedia. When I have more time, I'll start adding more on the topic. I'm not sure how far I should go with this; as my PhD thesis is on the consequences of envy, I can add vast amounts of information on this topic, but short to the point articles are usually the better ones. But possible additions are:
- different factors that influence whether envy is felt (whether it is deserved or not, etc.)
- the destructive nature of envy (in societies and for persons)
- ancient and medieval philosophers opinions on envy
- the fact that what is technically envy is often termed jealousy
- personality aspects etc.
Well, I'll think about it a bit more, and when I have time I'll add some things again. Sinas 08:32, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Definition

Is envy another word for jealousy?

There is some discussion among psychologists and philosophers on this topic, but the research supports a distinction between the two. The main idea is that jealousy results from the fear of losing something, while envy is the desire to have what someone else has (Ben-Ze'ev, 1990; Neu, 1980; Parrott, 1991; Salovey & Rodin, 1989).
The experience is also different: Parrott and Smith (1993) found that envy is characterized more by feeling degraded, longing for what the other person has, a motivation to improve and a realization that the felt ill will toward the other person is wrong. Jealousy on the other hand is characterized more by distrust, a fear of loss, feeling lonely and uncertain.
In the normal use of the language, jealousy is mainly used for the romantic type of jealousy, but most philosophers and psychologists who do research on this topic do not think that this is the important distinction that seperates them from each other. Sinas 11:33, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Justice and Envy

Can someone help me to find information on the subject of justice, feelings of injustice or/and being left out in relation to envy. Can you give me some tips for researching this?

I suggest John Rawls, "A Theory of Justice," and his section on "the problem of envy." ```` —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.213.10.5 (talk) 20:11, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Neutrality

The article appears almost hostile and I think it might be worth exploring potential positive aspects of Envy such as driving others to succeed or the desire for equality. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.176.138.132 (talk) 03:55, 21 January 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Link

This link obviously does not belong here. Whoever added is gonna have to create a separate page for that meaning of envy.

  • [1] eNVy - NVIDIA-INSTALLER Ubuntu Linux


[edit] Some changes

I've made some changes to the new version of this entry that was made a short while ago. First of all, I've changed the original definition (Parrot & Smith) back to its proper form, as it had been changed a while ago. Second, although I appreciate the addition of some parts, other parts were incorrect. For example, the following sentence gave an argument why the original definition in the text was wrong:

"However, what is envied could also be something that is only of personal importance to the envier, even if what the other person has is of little significance in his or her society, or even seen as a sign of inferior status."

That original defintion is not in conflict with the idea that it should be personally relevant. In fact, an emotion is by definition a personal and subjective response to the world.

More is needed in this article, as many topics regarding envy have not been covered so far (it's appearance in literature, movies, etc.; a distinction between positive and negative forms of envy; the perceived role of envy in communium; the evil eye; the role of culture in envy). Sinas 09:16, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WikiProject class rating

This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as start, and the rating on other projects was brought up to start class. BetacommandBot 03:58, 10 November 2007 (UTC)


[edit] On the subject of the Ass

I think some one has vandalised the page and it needs to be reverted. --222.154.160.147 (talk) 03:59, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] A neutral Emotion

I was always told envy could be a neutral emotion. "I envied my fiancee's laptop, and saved to get one of my own." As I was taught envy, can be a negative emotion, but jealousy definitely is.

'Envy is the wish to have what someone else has, usually without malice, encompassing admiration, or desire for this object or trait.'

'Jealousy is the same as the above definition, except there is malice, spite, and perhaps even revenge involved due to the jealousy.' --Ben414 (talk) 05:16, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

I added some of that.--Patrick (talk) 11:15, 10 January 2008 (UTC)


After a week, why did you remove the reference to my article on envy as a positive emotion in the intro? Here's the link: http://www.artsandopinion.com/2007_v6_n1/lewis-27.htm Artsandopinion (talk) 16:57, 15 January 2008 (UTC)Robert Lewis

This rather prominent link to a non-notable author's basically uninformative opinion piece is not justifiable per either common sense or Wikipedia's external links policy. Such linkage does not help build an encyclopedia; it just wastes readers' time. / edg ☺ ☭ 18:24, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Are you (Edgarde) a user or page editor? Artsandopinion (talk) 19:01, 15 January 2008 (UTC)Robert Lewis

I have over 10,000 edits, about half in article space. Why does this matter? / edg ☺ ☭ 19:12, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

I'm not clear on how this works. You, a user, can remove my link without the consent of the page editor? Who is the page editor? Did you read my article on envy, yes or no? The distinguished writer, Richard Landes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Landes seemed to think it worth commenting on. I'm still not clear what gives you the authority to deem my article 'just wastes readers' time.' http://www.theaugeanstables.com/2007/02/20/in-praise-of-envy. And be forewarned. You unceremoniously removed my link to Martin Heidegger from the WORKS ON HEIDEGGER section. The only person who is fit to make that decision is someone intimately acquainted with the thought of Heidegger, arguably the 20th century's greatest philosopher. If you refuse to reinstate that link, I will take you decision to the highest authority. In light of your prowess on the delete button, it occurs to me that you are more interested in exercising your authority than your mandate to improve wiki. 19:42, 15 January 2008 (UTC)Robert Lewis

Here's how it works. Anyone can edit Wikipedia. I am an editor. Your edits have been "accepted" (to use your language) by zero editors and removed by one. I will not reinstate the link, and I stand by my opinion that these links give WP:UNDUE prominence to a writer whose opinions—these articles are essays, not research—do not need to be included in Wikipedia at all.
I would strongly recommend you consider what you are fighting for. I am not the first editor to suggest that you are basically using Wikipedia to promote your website. Suppose I were to write on my self-published website that Envy is the unrecognized fuel of any capitalist economy, and societies whose dominant cultures discourage envy fail to thrive. If true, this is very important. Should this be added to Wikipedia? / edg ☺ ☭ 19:58, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Envy in the arts

The example of envy in the "pair of lovers" at the end of this section is describing jealousy is it not? The spurnned lover does not want the new "secret love", but is afraid of losing his/her lover to the new one. Jdmed (talk) 05:34, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Biological side

Is envy an instinct? 89.236.214.174 (talk) 12:36, 5 March 2008 (UTC)