Topic: Do you have empathy?

[aquadorhj]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19476221

study finds that as boys grow older, their ability to empathize become less and less pronounced compared to girls.
 



But there seems to be many conflicting articles.  some say the differences are negligible and could be contributed to the "nurture" side (vs nature) and some say it's statistically significant difference.

Lack of empathy is apparently the most obvious sign of sociopath, but
I read an article (and i cannot seem to find it anymore) that stated that most men have sociopathic tendencies, as in, most men do not empathize with unknown people, and the degree to which they care have inverse relationship with geographical distance; it's just that there are many degrees and most aren't "destructive" or severe enough to matter.


your opinion?

[quadzilla]

All depends on the situation. I find so people are so weak today and every little thing they want empathy for. Broke a finger nail, everybody has to stop and pay attention to them. Caught a cold, the world has to stop. Complaining that raising a normal child is difficult and they have no free time....Should have thought about that before having sex.

When it comes to real issues I'll be there for them but don't waste my time.

[Northernridge]

What is empathy...the ability to relate?

I try to empathize with people and then decide how much sympathy to give them. I also try to remember that I don't know what's going on in someone's head/life before I lower the northernridge-judgement-boom on them...which I'm told can be harsh.

Meanwhile there is no doubt in my mind that people are their own worst enemies and the main reason for our own station in life (meaning all things) is our own design. The more optimistic opposite-side-of-the-same-coin is that anything is possible for everyone.

[johngenx]

Tons.  My wife and I both - her even more than myself.  And my daughter gets it from both.

It's why I sucked at office politics and lacked ambition in the private sector - either I was the boss or I was looking for the door.  It's why now I only work in the public sector and only in positions that are classic "caring" type of jobs.

[Snowman]

I have lots fro deserving people, the others see my nasty side 

[huota]

I have lots fro deserving people, the others see my nasty side 

+1

[dr_spock]

Empathy is not the same as sympathy.  You can empathize with someone breaking a nail and give no sympathy.  Yeah, I've broken nails too and it can be annoying.  I don't agree you should have the day off.  Suck it buttercup.

Both involves emotions which are illogical.

[dougjp]

I dunno.....does empathy have anything to do with listening to what someone is saying and concentrating on that? I couldn't maintain interest reading that link, was it written in English? Uh.....what was your question again? 

[Scaerio]

Empathy tends to be empowering and supportive.  Sympathy is often condescending, belittling, and often treats its subject like a powerless victim.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Empathy is not the same as sympathy.  You can empathize with someone breaking a nail and give no sympathy.  Yeah, I've broken nails too and it can be annoying.  I don't agree you should have the day off.  Suck it buttercup.

Both involves emotions which are illogical.

This.


I think I'm pretty high up on the empathy scale. It's pretty much the basis of socialism, whereas capitalism is based on sociopathy.

[Northernridge]

Empathy with sympathy:

I can relate to what you're going through. I've been there myself, I feel for you. Hang there, things will get better. Can I help?

––

Empathy without sympathy:

I know the feeling, we've all been there. I've got to say that your self-pity is getting old and that you bring this on yourself, pick your sorry ass up and face the music.

[Snowman]

Empathy with sympathy:

I can relate to what you're going through. I've been there myself, I feel for you. Hang there, things will get better. Can I help?

––

Empathy without sympathy:

I know the feeling, we've all been there. I've got to say that your self-pity is getting old and that you bring this on yourself, pick your sorry ass up and face the music.

That would be me 

[tooscoops]

not sure about this... i think it's a chicken and egg scenario myself... but http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/oct/08/literary-fiction-improves-empathy-study

i consider myself very empathetic... and sympathetic. in actions at least... i listen, i react, i do all that i am supposed to....

but then after making them feel better, i wonder how they could be so selfish/stupid/naive/entitled...

[Brig]

I have loads of empathy, to the point where if I read news stories outlining details of animals or kids/people being abused, I feel physically sick.  I now avoid those kinds of stories.  I also avoid negative people for the same reason - they drain my energy.

I'd make a lousy soldier.  But my temperament is ideal for the work I do.

[johngenx]

I'd make a lousy soldier.

When I was in high school, I was crushing on a girl that was in army cadets, so I joined.  I loved the physicality of it, and the challenge of range shooting, etc.  I was told that I'd never pass the adult physical, so adult service wasn't in the cards, but I knew that there was no way I could engage to kill another human unless I was literally in the heat of self defense and my life was in immediate jeopardy.  Travel to some foreign land planning on shooting folks?  Nope.

Oh, and I was terrible at taking orders.