Understanding the Appeal of Sadism in BDSM Practices
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Why Do Sadists Enjoy Inflicting Pain?
Is it simply cruelty, a desire for dominance, or a pursuit of pleasure?
The Distinction Between Sadism and Cruelty
While many people use the terms 'sadism' and 'cruelty' interchangeably, they actually denote very different concepts.
- Cruelty involves causing suffering without empathy or regard for the victim's humanity.
- Sadism, on the other hand, is the enjoyment derived from inflicting pain in a consensual and erotic context.
The term 'sadist' is derived from Donatien de Sade, famously known as the Marquis de Sade, a French aristocrat and nihilistic writer. He engaged in both inflicting and receiving erotic pain through acts like flogging and rough sex. Interestingly, he exemplified traits of both sadism and masochism—what modern BDSM practitioners might classify as a 'switch.' Despite the consensual natur