Ressentiment was introduced in a sociological sense by Max Scheler. Describe how this complex sentiment’s three interlocking elements function.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

First, diffuse feelings of hate, envy and hostility; second, a sense of being powerless to express these feelings actively against the person or social stratum evoking them; and
third, a continual re-experiencing of this impotent hostility. The essential point distinguishing ressentiment from rebellion is that the former does not involve a genuine change in values. Ressentiment involves a sourgrapes pattern which asserts merely that desired but unattainable objectives do not actually embody the prized values. In ressentiment, one condemns what one secretly craves; in rebellion, one condemns the craving itself.