There's a lot of truth in that. If you can't appreciate what other people are going through, their particular ordeals and disappointments and horrors, then there's nothing to stop you treating people cruelly and ruthlessly.
There seems to be a distinct lack of empathy right now. Politicians condemn the "work-shy" and the "not really sick" and those whose poverty is a "lifestyle choice". Trans activists condemn those who don't share their beliefs as bigots and fascists. Nameless individuals on social media attack anyone who is seen as offensive, elitist or politically incorrect. Newspapers pour hatred at criminals and politicians and public officials. Many ordinary individuals don't trust politicians and believe they're all feathering their nests.
There are plenty of things going on that could be described as barbaric. People who're jailed for minor offences. The deep hostility to immigrants. Poor people struggling to survive on inadequate welfare benefits. People who mistreat animals. Innocent people who're beaten up by the police. People who laugh at the disabled. Domestic violence and sexual assaults.
A lot of these things wouldn't be happening if there was more empathy towards the victims, a greater ability to identify with them, more outrage at the way some people are treated. But people are rather too adept at avoiding empathy and pretending hideous things aren't really going on - or aren't as bad as they seem.
One thing preventing empathy is that people who're in trouble are often seen as the author of their own misfortunes, suffering through their own fecklessness or stupidity. This is seldom the case and this callous blame-the-victim syndrome has to end.
This is certainly true, and there are people who seem proud to wallow in cruelty. I don't think "pouring hatred at criminals" is in that category, though. It is indeed the victims who deserve empathy, but criminals are victimizers, not victims. You mentioned sexual assaults, but the people who commit sexual assaults are examples of criminals. My empathy will always be for the crime victim, not for the criminal. By their actions, the latter render themselves unworthy of it.
ReplyDeleteInfidel: Well, I think hatred is a negative and unhelpful emotion, condemnation would be enough. And people who have been pulled into criminality through their naivety or a weak will also deserve a bit of sympathy. My empathy is also for the victim, but I think criminals are sometimes entitled to it.
DeleteI agree with Infidel in that not everyone deserves empathy. Especially those who see tolerance as one-sided. I’d actually say there’s a lack of respect for some of the people you mentioned, such as politicians and police, rather than a lack of empathy.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I certainly don't have empathy for people who are irredeemably vicious and nasty. I think politicians often face a lack of empathy, in that people don't see how onerous their job is and how demanding their constituents can be.
DeleteNick, H. Arendt is of course right. I will say nothing more , because what we daily see and hear proves it.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Indeed, you only have to look around you to see the truth in that remark.
DeleteIt's what she explained as the Banality of Evil when reporting about the Eichmann trial ( is this the right word ?) That's what the World looks like in many many countries.
DeleteHannah
Hannah: Yes, trial is the right word. You could also refer to legal proceedings or the legal process.
DeleteHannah: I was familiar with the phrase "the banality of evil". I see it's mistakenly read as meaning that evil, or Eichmann's crimes, were ordinary, when in fact it means banal in the sense of an act devoid of thinking or intention.
DeleteExactly Nick.
DeleteHannah
The right word is process.
ReplyDeleteThis thread is taking off in an unexpected direction!
ReplyDeleteI live in a country that finds the lack of empathy honorable. Of course they wouldn't actually admit to this, or even know it's true. I see people who proudly proclaim their Christianity while getting into froth about people in desperate situations entering the country without documentation. And so much else. It's would be funny if it were not so horrible.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Don't get me started on religious hypocrisy! Not to mention different religions hating each other. Whatever happened to "love your neighbour as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18)?
DeleteEverything feels too mechanical at the moment. We need to remember that all humans are fallible and use our hearts more.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Amen to that. There's an air of authoritarianism and a lack of common humanity.
DeleteEmpathy is the cornerstone of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteColette: Agreed. Empathy is very educational.
DeleteThe encouragement of egoism does not help.
ReplyDeleteHelen: Yes, there's an awful epidemic of egoism, especially among politicians.
Delete