likely. For example, it is often argued that undergoing disappointments and disillusionments in life increases the tendency to adopt a misanthropic outlook. In this regard, the more idealistic and optimistic the person initially was, the stronger this reversal and the following negative outlook tend to be. This type of psychological explanation is already found in Plato's Phaedo. In it, Socrates explains that misanthropy arises when a person trusts and admires someone without knowing them sufficiently well. If it is then discovered later that the admired person has serious flaws, the initial attitude may be reversed and universalized to apply to all others. This leads to general distrust and contempt toward other humans. It becomes more likely if the admired person is a close friend and if it happens more than once. This form of misanthropy may be accompanied by a feeling of moral superiority in which the misanthrope considers themselves to be better than everyone else. Other types of negative personal experiences in life may have a similar effect. Andrew Gibson uses this line of thought to point out why some philosophers became misanthropes. In the case of Thomas Hobbes, he discusses the politically unstable environment and the frequent wars which Hobbes had to live through. For Arthur Schopenhauer, he cites the fact that Schopenhauer was forced to flee from his home at the age of five and never found a place to call home afterward. Another psychological factor is associated with negative attitudes toward the human body, especially in the form of general revulsion from sexuality. Besides the psychological causes, some wider social circumstances may also play a role. Generally speaking, the more negative the circumstances are, the more likely misanthropy becomes. For example, it has been argued that socio-economic inequality in the form of unfair distribution of wealth increases the tendency to adopt a misanthropic perspective. This has to do with the fact that inequality tends to undermine trust in the government and others. It may be possible to overcome or reduce this source of misanthropy by implementing policies that build trust and promote a more equal distribution of wealth. The political regime is another relevant factor. This specifically concerns authoritarian regimes using all means available to repress their population and stay in power. For example, it has been argued that the severe forms of repression of the Ancien Régime in the late 17th century made it more