Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion

[de officiis]

Against Empathy - The Case for Rational Compassion

Interesting talk by Paul Bloom, a Yale psychologist, in which he argues that unfettered empathy can lead to bad decisions. This probably seems counter-intuitive to most of us, since the ability to emphasize with others is widely viewed as a cornerstone of moral judgment. I'll lay out a couple of key statements in his argument which will hopefully explain where he's coming from:

Arguments against empathetic decision-making:

Cognitive empathy, or the capacity to put oneself in the shoes of others and feel what they feel, is a form of social intelligence that can be used for good or bad.

Empathy is not essential to moral judgment, but may sometimes override other moral judgments.

Empathy, because it causes us to focus attention on a single individual, is a capricious and irrational emotion that appeals to our narrow prejudices, is innumerate ("a single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic"), muddles our judgment, and may be a catalyst for violence or be exploited to produce cruelty.

Why compassion informed by rational deliberation is good:

Compassion (loving kindness) means caring for others without experiencing their pain.

Compassion invigorates; empathy exhausts.

Bloom has written a New Yorker article as well as a a book with the same name.

Some food for thought...

[Montegriffo]

I think I need a definition of the difference between empathy and compassion.

[Okeefenokee]

I think I need a definition of the difference between empathy and compassion.

Empathy is understanding a feeling.

Compassion is a feeling.

[Martin Hash]

"Empathy" is a relatively recent PC word intended to gain control by making subjective demands. For example, it's used in the medical profession to wrest control from doctors.

[Okeefenokee]

"Empathy" is a relatively recent PC word intended to gain control by making subjective demands. For example, it's used in the medical profession to wrest control from doctors.

As I understand it, empathy is sharing in the feelings of others. Sympathy is like compassion, a feeling towards others. Empathy is walking in the other's moccasins. Sympathy or compassion is not walking in those same moccasins, but simply feeling sorry for those that do.

[Smitty-48]

Sympathy is to understand, empathy is to share. I may understand your feelings (sympathize), but still not share them (empathize).

Compassion is to sympathize (understand) with concern, perhaps pity, in the context of misfortune, perhaps suffering.

[Hwen Hoshino]

"Empathy" is a relatively recent PC word intended to gain control by making subjective demands. For example, it's used in the medical profession to wrest control from doctors.

When i am watching a movie with a bad guy protagonist and enjoying it. What other word could i use for why i feel for the guy?

[Martin Hash]

In my experience, claiming "empathy" is a way to force someone else to meet your subjective demands because only you know how you're feeling. How can anyone else possibly say they know better than you how you feel? Like socialist BS where someone else claims they know better than you what you need.

[Smitty-48]

"While I may sympathize that you are wholly misguided, I cannot empathize with your Bolshevism, therefore, with some regret, I must discharge this high impact riot baton into your kneecap, but out of compassion for your suffering, I will have you medically evacuated to the aid station at the detention facility, upon clearing the streets of your disorder. Have a nice day."

[de officiis]

"While I may sympathize that you are wholly misguided, I cannot empathize with your Bolshevism, therefore, with some regret, I must discharge this high impact riot baton into your kneecap, but out of compassion for your suffering, I will have you medically evacuated to the aid station at the detention facility, upon clearing the streets of your disorder. Have a nice day."