Envy

What it is

Philosopher Sara Protasi argues that envy and jealousy are separate emotions that often occur together: envy turns on lacking something valuable that another person has, jealousy on the threat of losing something one already holds. Everyday speech often uses the two words loosely, which is part of why they are confused.

In effect

In the article on why we feel jealous, it marks the line between wanting what someone else has and fearing the loss of what one has.

What it does not say

It is a definition and a philosophical argument. It does not say envy is always harmful, and research distinguishes a benign form that motivates self-improvement.

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