tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580535460030164028.post9159104730345407468..comments2023-04-11T09:46:53.479+00:00Comments on anticant's arena: Uses of empathyanticanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18135207107619114891noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580535460030164028.post-17122262740985917762007-08-29T03:08:00.000+00:002007-08-29T03:08:00.000+00:00EMPATHY Is a the gateway to escaping the apparent ...EMPATHY Is a the gateway to escaping the apparent isolation each one feels in an initially separate-seeming physical body -- there are in fact a whole lot /less/ states of emotion, for example, than 'individuals' running around and being 'individualistic' by resonating on the same emotional wavelength, to a popular song, for instance, or exhortations to 'get the [pick one -- ed] Jews, liberals, Persians, evolutionists, women!' That is why the concern with 'human rights' is a very time-bound specific manifestation of our perceptual condition at this specific epoch in the physical history of the universe. And, of course, the only way forward is /through/ the emotionality of it all, the struggle of ones time; and, for each one to follow their personal bent and defend (or, alas, violate!) every right they can! And /cetera/ -- it IS a big thing, this burgeoning self-awareness of Nature.Bodwyn Wookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04152813177593209096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580535460030164028.post-85867915610796378862007-08-27T08:41:00.000+00:002007-08-27T08:41:00.000+00:00That's very poignant, Richard. I empathise with yo...That's very poignant, Richard. I empathise with you.<BR/><BR/>I think everyone is born with the natural potential for, and inclination towards, empathy but it is inhibited by negative anger-inducing experiences - often before the child can talk.<BR/><BR/>I believe much more in natural goodness than in 'original sin'. Shorn of its religious baggage, 'sin' is a falling short of the best we are capable of achieving. Empathy, like all benign qualities, has to be positively willed in order to blossom.anticanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135207107619114891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580535460030164028.post-28675986766074930982007-08-27T08:18:00.000+00:002007-08-27T08:18:00.000+00:00As I see it, empathy is a natural "skill", rather ...As I see it, empathy is a natural "skill", rather like the ability to make friends - for some it comes very naturally..for others less so.<BR/><BR/>Our eldest son has 'Asperger's' - a very mild form of autism. It is often difficult to describe to others unfamiliar with it.<BR/><BR/>I describe it as a lack of natural "empathy" - it is only learned - that natural abilty to be a friend to others, and for others to be a friend is not there.<BR/><BR/>We love him so much - but it's hard for him as it is for us, especially as parents.<BR/><BR/>Not being able to have a spontaneous cuddle is difficult, for example...Richard W. Symondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783091361323437959noreply@blogger.com