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"Empathy" is one of those words that's used as a proxy for a lot of related ideas, but splitting those hairs can be interpreted by some as disagreement with tho

"Empathy" is one of those words that's used as a proxy for a lot of related ideas, but splitting those hairs can be interpreted by some as disagreement with those ideas themselves. I've witnessed people extol the virtues of empathy to me, while on other occasions they talk about people they dislike with venom and disdain. A level of disdain that I have never held in my heart against anyone, but they throw it around casually. And they're gonna tell me about empathy? Sometimes you just gotta agree with people out loud and figure out what you believe in offline.

Froztnova 1y ago
I've observed this as well. It feels like we need an equivalent to "humble bragging" for empathy. Empathy bragging? It's like they've tricked themselves into thinking that they're very empathetic when what they really feel is particularly strong in-group/outgroup affinity/antipathy.
weeb 1y ago
There are commonly used terms for different types of empathy[1] which makes these conversations a lot easier. People often generalise, or misinterpret a lower level of one type of empathy for another - for example, some autistic individuals have lower cognitive empathy but heightened levels of affective empathy. The definition in this blogpost focuses entirely on cognitive empathy, but I bet the people telling them to be "more empathetic" were talking more about compassionate empathy. [1] https://embrace-autism.com/the-different-types-of-empathy/ https://embrace-autism.com/the-different-types-of-empathy/
rented_mule 1y ago
Isn't it possible for someone to spot a growth opportunity for someone else without they themselves being perfect, or maybe even good, at that thing? I've certainly benefited from useful ideas in my core area of expertise from people who were nowhere close to being experts in that same topic.
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Froztnova 1y ago

I've observed this as well. It feels like we need an equivalent to "humble bragging" for empathy. Empathy bragging? It's like they've tricked themselves into thinking that they're very empathetic when what they really feel is particularly strong in-group/outgroup affinity/antipathy.

weeb 1y ago

There are commonly used terms for different types of empathy[1] which makes these conversations a lot easier. People often generalise, or misinterpret a lower level of one type of empathy for another - for example, some autistic individuals have lower cognitive empathy but heightened levels of affective empathy. The definition in this blogpost focuses entirely on cognitive empathy, but I bet the people telling them to be "more empathetic" were talking more about compassionate empathy. [1] https://embrace-autism.com/the-different-types-of-empathy/ https://embrace-autism.com/the-different-types-of-empathy/

rented_mule 1y ago

Isn't it possible for someone to spot a growth opportunity for someone else without they themselves being perfect, or maybe even good, at that thing? I've certainly benefited from useful ideas in my core area of expertise from people who were nowhere close to being experts in that same topic.

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