I'm not suggesting that a person model their behavior after Homer. The point I'm making in quoting him is that caring and understanding are distinct axes. You

I'm not suggesting that a person model their behavior after Homer. The point I'm making in quoting him is that caring and understanding are distinct axes. You can care/understand, not care/not understand, not care/understand (Homer), and care/not understand. Each of these ways of being tends to bring different results.