In the modern world, where emotions and social norms intertwine in a complex dance, the issue of revenge remains both relevant and controversial.

The Vicious Cycle of Revenge: Unraveling Its Psychological and Social

In the modern world, where emotions and social norms intertwine in a complex dance, the issue of revenge remains both relevant and controversial. On one hand, deep internal emotions—selfishness, an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, and irreconcilable hatred—drive a person to retaliate after experiencing pain or humiliation. These feelings, rooted in the very foundations of our psychological life, compel us to seek an outlet through acts of revenge, even though they only serve to exacerbate our emotional wounds.

On the other hand, society and culture have often upheld the idea of retribution as a means of restoring order and honor. Historically, revenge was viewed not so much as a personal urge to retaliate with aggression, but as an obligatory ritual capable of preventing further acts of violence. Various traditions, be it blood feuds or codes of honor, allowed societies to establish their own moral guidelines, even if these actions often led to a vicious cycle of conflict and destruction.

Ultimately, the consequences of revenge are twofold: while an act of retaliation may seem immediately justified, its long-term effects often result in ongoing hostility and deep psychological exhaustion. This never-ending cycle of violence reminds us that the pursuit of justice brings not complete satisfaction, but only deepens divisions and creates new grounds for suffering. This lesson in history and human psychology forces us to question just how destructive and unending the game of revenge can be.

What psychological and social motives could explain the drive for revenge, and what outcomes can be expected from such actions?

Based on the provided material, several psychological and social motives underlying the desire for revenge can be identified, as well as the anticipated consequences of such actions.

The psychological aspect of revenge is primarily linked to the feelings that arise in response to injury, humiliation, or loss. In particular, the idea is put forward that the fundamental motives in these cases are selfishness, egocentrism, and hatred. It is noted:
"Thus, extra-moral motives can be divided into three main categories: 1) selfishness (connecting a person with an animal), 2) egocentrism (a specific human trait that easily turns into a mania for superhuman abilities), and 3) hatred (bearing a satanic character). Clearly, an ethics based on selfishness, egocentrism, and hatred cannot be called ethics in the true sense of the word..." (source: link txt).

The social context also plays a significant role. In many cultures and historical periods, revenge was seen not only as a personal feeling but also as a duty prescribed by moral and social norms. For example, one source explains that revenge was imposed as an obligation to prevent further acts of violence:
"Revenge is imposed as a duty precisely because murder instills terror, because it is necessary to prevent people from killing. The duty to never shed blood is essentially no different from the duty to avenge the blood that has been spilled..." (source: link txt). This emphasizes that through the mechanism of revenge, society sought to establish behavioral boundaries, thereby preventing chaos and violence.

At the same time, the traditions and codes of honor in several cultures supported the idea of revenge as a socially acceptable and even obligatory action. Thus, in secular societies, revenge was often part of historical traditions, where an insult was not left unanswered but instead provoked retaliatory violence (duels, blood feuds, etc.):
"In many secular cultures, revenge is welcomed by society. Here one can speak not only of the tradition of blood feuds, widespread among some peoples, but also of the code of honor that was celebrated in Europe during the 18th–19th centuries..." (source: link txt).

Regarding the outcomes of such actions, it is expected that revenge often leads to a closed loop of violence. The consequences of an act of retaliation may manifest not only physically but also psychologically—as in the feeling that the 'shadow' of loss or aggression continues to influence one's life, spawning new wounds and conflicts:
"He perished, yet his shadow, his thirst for revenge, was never quenched for the rest of my days..." (source: link txt). This illustrates the perpetual and destructive impact of revenge, where acts of reciprocal violence fail to bring lasting satisfaction and only perpetuate the cycle of enmity.

In summary, the desire for revenge is deeply rooted in psychological feelings—hatred, selfishness, and egocentrism—and is further reinforced by social norms and traditions that demand a response to injustice. However, the consequences of such actions, whether through cycles of violence or moral and psychological exhaustion, often prove to be destructive, exacerbating conflicts rather than eliminating the causes of violence.

Supporting citation(s):
"Thus, extra-moral motives can be divided into three main categories: 1) selfishness (connecting a person with an animal), 2) egocentrism (a specific human trait that easily turns into a mania for superhuman abilities), and 3) hatred (bearing a satanic character)..." (source: link txt)

"Revenge is imposed as a duty precisely because murder instills terror, because it is necessary to prevent people from killing. The duty to never shed blood is essentially no different from the duty to avenge the blood that has been spilled..." (source: link txt)

"In many secular cultures, revenge is welcomed by society. Here one can speak not only of the tradition of blood feuds, widespread among some peoples, but also of the code of honor that was celebrated in Europe during the 18th–19th centuries..." (source: link txt)

"He perished, yet his shadow, his thirst for revenge, was never quenched for the rest of my days..." (source: link txt)