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Sympathy is taking pity. You can feel sorry for someone who lost a leg and is confined to a wheelchair. We are glad we can walk and we are not stuck in a wheelchair.
I think that empathy gets confused with sympathy. I was told that one can only have empathy if they have experienced the same thing.
One can be empathetic sans experiencing the same situation; in fact, that’s the point! It’s an innate ability to understand (and feel for) another person’s experience by imagining one’s self in that situation beyond simply acknowledging it (as in sympathy). They relate on an innately human level.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gentlearts
Like, only another widow can have empathy for a widow. Only a person who has lost a limb can empathize with another.
In other words, I don’t have to lose a limb to empathize with one who has.
I don't get all these definitions. I don't think anyone needs to be told what empathy is, it's a simple, basic human emotion meaning caring about how others feel and relating to their predicaments. I wouldn't want to be around anyone who does not have empathy, that's a characteristic of a sociopath, or at least someone I wouldn't trust at all.
I don't get all these definitions. I don't think anyone needs to be told what empathy is, it's a simple, basic human emotion meaning caring about how others feel and relating to their predicaments. I wouldn't want to be around anyone who does not have empathy, that's a characteristic of a sociopath, or at least someone I wouldn't trust at all.
lack of empathy is a disability associated with certain mental health conditions. so you can have some empathy for those who have this problem!
Those who lack empathy because of this learn to imitate empathy, with comforting words, action. that attempt to do so IS empathy as well. good enough.
Those who lack empathy because of this learn to imitate empathy, with comforting words, action. that attempt to do so IS empathy as well. good enough.
What you’re describing is manipulative behavior if they have to take on a fake persona to do so. As such, from my perspective, it’s not ‘good enough’. I wouldn’t personally associate with one who lacks the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking/feeling and/or lacks compassion relative to such.
What you’re describing is manipulative behavior if they have to take on a fake persona to do so. As such, from my perspective, it’s not ‘good enough’. I wouldn’t personally associate with one who lacks the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking/feeling and/or lacks compassion relative to such.
I don't know why you separated the quote from the first half. Is it perhaps lack of empathy for those who have a disability that is beyond their control due to neurological difficulties? This prevents them from emoting empathy. If they make the attempt to learn to demonstrate empathy they too can enjoy human interrelationships and find happiness.
Empathy is not all about you!
I don't care if you call it sympathy or empathy. I don't ask for it. There's no thinking that goes into it. I FEEL when others are in pain if I turn my attention to their pain. It's purely physical.
Those who lack empathy because of this learn to imitate empathy, with comforting words, action. that attempt to do so IS empathy as well. good enough.
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Originally Posted by cb2008
Is it perhaps lack of empathy for those who have a disability that is beyond their control due to neurological difficulties? This prevents them from emoting empathy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cb2008
If they make the attempt to learn to demonstrate empathy they too can enjoy human interrelationships and find happiness.
I don’t agree; there’s a difference between feeling empathy vs. imitating (or trying to fake) it. Psychopaths are known to do what you’re describing, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be personally involved or friends with such. Psychopaths, narcissists and active addicts do not ‘enjoy human relationships’ other than relative to their own agenda; they lack empathy and do not have the same capacity for human feeling. As such, I have empathy for their victims.
Empathy -- Understanding how another might feel or perceive a situation, even if you don't feel that way. For example, my daughter is highly sensitive so I understand how she feels because I understand her. I do not necessarily feel the same way or take on her feelings.
So what's the difference between compassion and empathy?
Compassion is crawling into someone's skin and feeling what they're feeling, it's so much work to do that most people avoid going thru the exercise.
After having a tooth removed, my Dentist said No smoking for 4 days or you may develop dry rot. Where's the compassion?
If I told her to give up one of her addictions (caffeine, driving a car, unnecessarily using her Smartphone) could she do it?
I worked in a LTC/Rehab facility and I worked with some of the least compassionate people I'd ever worked with. Compassion fatigue? Only going into the nursing profession for the money only?
So what's the difference between compassion and empathy?
Compassion is crawling into someone's skin and feeling what they're feeling, it's so much work to do that most people avoid going thru the exercise.
Compassion is the desire to ease one’s suffering or misfortune, as demonstrated by words or action; empathy usually precedes compassion. In other words, I feel empathy for those who are homeless; I show compassion by annually donating a significant sum of money to mental health programs and shelters relative to such. Another example is folks who witness bullying or harassment; some of us want to step in and do something about it.
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