Thread: Politics of Empathy

Politics of Empathy

Homicide, the most egregious moral infraction possible, becomes common place in war. It seems to me that we take such homicides in war all too lightly.

When we see a mother weeping over the death of her child, caused by a suicide bomber, we feel immediate sympathy; often we will come to tears. But we do not easily feel sympathy for the mother who may be weeping over the death of her child—the bomber.

To understand the bomber we must use empathy. We attempt, through imagination and reason, to create an analogy that will allow us to understand why another behaves as s/he does. Empathy is a character trait that can be cultivated by habit and will. Sympathy is somewhat of an automatic emotional response.

The lack of understanding between our foe and our self can transform an argument or misunderstanding into a war of mass homicide. Using a quote from “To Kill A Mockingbird”: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.”

Empathy can prevent war and it can help win a war. Empathy can help us understand our political opponent so that we can reason together. Empathy is a rational means for reaching a solution to our problem.

Questions for discussion

Do we always want to prevent war or to understand our political opponent?

Do we want to win a war badly enough to empathize with our foe?

Do we want to use reason when fighting is so much more fun?

Originally Posted by coberst

Politics of Empathy

Homicide, the most egregious moral infraction possible, becomes common place in war. It seems to me that we take such homicides in war all too lightly.

When we see a mother weeping over the death of her child, caused by a suicide bomber, we feel immediate sympathy; often we will come to tears. But we do not easily feel sympathy for the mother who may be weeping over the death of her child—the bomber.

To understand the bomber we must use empathy. We attempt, through imagination and reason, to create an analogy that will allow us to understand why another behaves as s/he does. Empathy is a character trait that can be cultivated by habit and will. Sympathy is somewhat of an automatic emotional response.

The lack of understanding between our foe and our self can transform an argument or misunderstanding into a war of mass homicide. Using a quote from “To Kill A Mockingbird”: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.”

Empathy can prevent war and it can help win a war. Empathy can help us understand our political opponent so that we can reason together. Empathy is a rational means for reaching a solution to our problem.

Questions for discussion

Do we always want to prevent war or to understand our political opponent?

Do we want to win a war badly enough to empathize with our foe?

Do we want to use reason when fighting is so much more fun?

IMO, the majority of people have a hard time with empathy. An example: too many times I've seen posters told they were for the enemy just because they showed empathy for the Iraqis/Palestinians/pick a group.

Originally Posted by coberst

Questions for discussion

Do we always want to prevent war or to understand our political opponent?

Do we want to win a war badly enough to empathize with our foe?

Do we want to use reason when fighting is so much more fun?

First. I think war is necessary. It provides the most effective solution to disputes. Kill each other and the last one standing gets what he wants. Also-- i know this is really cruel-- war keeps human population in check just like wolves keep deer population in check.

Second. Best way to win a war is to empathize with them because you understand them. Understanding your opponent gives you power over them.

Third. I guess for all the warmongerers out in the world like me , fighting is so much more fun

Originally Posted by Red Eft

IMO, the majority of people have a hard time with empathy. An example: too many times I've seen posters told they were for the enemy just because they showed empathy for the Iraqis/Palestinians/pick a group.

Yes, I comprehend what you are saying. But when we meet this kind of attitude we need to recognize that it is ignorance speaking and we can dispel that kind of ignorance slowly by explaining the importance of empathy and how it can be helpful for everyone.

Originally Posted by Ptolemy I

First. I think war is necessary. It provides the most effective solution to disputes. Kill each other and the last one standing gets what he wants. Also-- i know this is really cruel-- war keeps human population in check just like wolves keep deer population in check.

Second. Best way to win a war is to empathize with them because you understand them. Understanding your opponent gives you power over them.

Third. I guess for all the warmongerers out in the world like me , fighting is so much more fun

Are you a soldier your self or do you just like to watch.

Originally Posted by Ptolemy I

First. I think war is necessary. It provides the most effective solution to disputes. Kill each other and the last one standing gets what he wants. Also-- i know this is really cruel-- war keeps human population in check just like wolves keep deer population in check.

Second. Best way to win a war is to empathize with them because you understand them. Understanding your opponent gives you power over them.

Third. I guess for all the warmongerers out in the world like me , fighting is so much more fun

Are you a soldier your self or do you just like to watch?

Originally Posted by coberst

Are you a soldier your self or do you just like to watch?

Oh im too young at the present time to become a soldier, but after i accomplish my career plans when im an adult, i intend to join in war- a different type of war it probably will be. But still violence.

I empathize with a person not to give approval or to condone the actions of that person, but to create a means whereby their actions have meaning to me. When their actions become meaningful to me I can thus walk in their shoes and perhaps through such empathy I will be able to act in a way that will improve the situation in which both that person and I am involved.

Empathy is the first step to comprehending and thus to solving situations in which I find my self. Ignorance is generally not bliss; ignorance is not the path to peace, harmony, or freedom.

Wow, great thread. The subject matter is quite profound to many people who seemingly lack empathy but more than make up for it in their apathy.

I can agree with you completely in that empathy does promote positive progress in any situation. Positive or correct understanding is obviously key from having a conversation all the way to winning a war.

But I also can't blame someone for being apathetic to say, the enemy, or that of suicide bombers. For some events in this life there is absolutely no reason for...such as suicide bombing. No matter how much I empathize their message, their meaning, it is somewhat impossible for me to find any positive or better yet, rational motive for doing such a thing.

For instance; I read a story about a female suicide bomber who had already blown herself up as the story was conducted about her family afterwards. The complete reason this girl decided to become a suicide bomber is because she was 'barren' and could not have children. In her society that was a death nail of sorts as her husband left her and she eventually lost everything. So instead of suffering this she decided to give herself to 'the cause' and became a bomber.

Now no matter how much I try to understand this and empathize her position, I still consider it highly irrational of this woman to do this. If she couldn't just live out her life in quiet suffering, why she thinks taking many innocent people with her, is beyond my realm of empathy or understanding. I cannot fathom it no matter how much I empathize the situation.

This woman took a potentially bad situation and made it a complete an utter bad situation and despite my understanding of this situation she was in, I cannot empathize with her solution. Perhaps the bomber should have used some of that empathy on her victims before she decided to blow them up.
So the action wasn't meaningful at all, just simply destructive as I have way more empathy for the families of the victims than that of a suicide bomber even though I understand her motives. Don't agree at all, but understood.

John

Empathy is a character trait just as honesty is a character trait. Like all character traits the more we exercise our ebility to empathy the better we get at it.

Also there is the problem of 'having confidence in empathy' just as 'having confidence in reason'. It takes a good bit of intellectual effort and experience in strengthening our trust in these two human endeavors.

I think that it is worth the thought; if we are seeking something of value that we can do for our self and for our community we can work on these two important concepts and we can post our thoughts about them every chance we get.