2006-12-27 16:13:01 · 12 answers · asked by the_wun_hu_nose 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Ah, you adopted my question. "Having" empathy and "expressing" it are two different things - although "having it" was not part of your question.
You can feel sympathy for a person who either can not or does not express empathy. However, to empathize with a person who has no (or never expresses) feelings for other people means that you are able to feel like they feel - which is not to feel other people's feelings. To empathize with a person who doesn't or can't empathize is contradictory.
Empathy is the appreciation of another's feelings - typically those of pain or suffering.
Of course, a person can suffer and/or feel pain, but not empathize with others who have similar feelings. This often happens in the worst survival situations where self preservation becomes the only way to survive. Certainly having empathy for someone in such a desperate situation is possible. It may even be the highest form of empathy. Or would it, like I said above, be more sympathy, than empathy? A combination?
But, if a person is in no way suffering, yet can not recognize pain or suffering in others or express such recognition, would empathizing with such a person mean that you become hollow and selfish, like them? Or would you more properly simply pity them, for their lack of connection with, or recognition of, the sufferings of others?
Finally, certainly a person who doesn't EXPRESS empathy could still have feelings of empathy, but perhaps be overwhelmed by those feelings and, therefore, hold back or hide them. But your question didn't specify that this was the situation either. It could easily be that a person who doesn't express empathy simply has no feelings upon which to base any such expression.
2006-12-27 17:06:51 · answer #1 · answered by S C W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Empathy and a considerate nature is not something you expect a reward for. It doesn't have to be mutual to happen, it's not a must that one gets payed back in order to show human feelings.Even a criminal in sufering is worth a bit of empathy.
2006-12-28 00:23:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes--it might be difficult, but it is possible. Empathy depends on the person who's expressing it, not on the receiver. Even if someone isn't willing or isn't able to stand in your shoes, you can still volunteer to stand in theirs.
2006-12-28 00:22:14 · answer #3 · answered by kacey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your definition of empathy. Because from your question
it would seem it isn't the same as the dictionary definition.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a nice day.
Thank you very much, while you're up!
2006-12-28 00:25:30 · answer #4 · answered by producer_vortex 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is definately possible to experience empathy for others independent of whether or not they express it.
Sympathy is, "I'm sorry for your pain."
Emotional Contagion is, "I feel your pain."
Empathy is, "I understand how you feel."
For me, empathy is fully focusing on another person's message. It is to be present for them, hearing and allowing them to feel and share their suffering.
Empathy is WITHOUT giving any advice, without consoling, without sympathizing, without cheering up, without changing the subject, without giving reassurances or trying to minimize or change anything.
Sometimes people just want to be heard and understood, they don't want advice, cheering up or reassurances, they simply want empathy. Many don't even know what they want, but once they experience it (empathy) they feel better, relieved, authentic....
Empathy is intimate and powerful. It is possible
2006-12-28 01:00:48 · answer #5 · answered by teach_empathy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, I know you can still have empathy for that person, animal, or thing.
2006-12-28 00:25:04 · answer #6 · answered by amazon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can although it might seem a little weird because you would be suppressing your emotions to a degree that it would be hard to come back to being yourself. Some things shouldn't be used.
2006-12-30 06:42:53 · answer #7 · answered by Faust 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. If a person puts themselves in another person's place, if they consider other feelings aside from their own, it is absolutely possible!
2006-12-28 00:40:20 · answer #8 · answered by Gus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My emotions do not depend on the emotions of the person who I am considering.
2006-12-28 00:35:06 · answer #9 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. If you are empathetic then you would be able to share their feelings. Non-empathetic people still have emotions.
2006-12-28 00:20:49 · answer #10 · answered by jcat80128 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋