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If you were observing humans but couldn't interview them, could you say they were acting with empathy? There are all sorts of "acts" that appear to be empathy
by smoyer 10y ago
If you were observing humans but couldn't interview them, could you say they were acting with empathy? There are all sorts of "acts" that appear to be empathy from the outside but end up being in both parties best interest. Even acts of heroism and selflessness end up helping to hold together our society but it's often hard to feel what the other is feeling. Even when I consciously try, I suspect my attempts at empathy fall short - but it's still important to try.
- ciokan 10y agoThat's probably because of the values and morals of our society mostly and not from a lack of empathy, heroism or selflessness. We inherit those values and pass them down to next generations. I think it's from the way we were raised and the way most of us raise our children. "If you do this, I will reward you with that"...this thing is from our childhood and sits at the root of mostly everything we do. There are exceptions that make the rule I'm sure of it but our ego always tells us "it's not purity", "they can't be better than us", "they have a plan" so it's hard to distinguish. My 2c.
- FeepingCreature 10y agoWhy do you think you feel empathy to begin with? It feels good because it helps on net. Your brain is a product of evolution; when something feels nice, there's usually a pragmatic reason for it.
- hiou 10y agoCould I enquire why you find it difficult to believe that empathy can be a common driver of behavior?