2007-04-12 07:52:31 · 15 answers · asked by Courageous Capt. Cat 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
To be precise, compassion is weakness and empathy is strength.
Empathy is recognizing and understanding what emotions other people are experiencing. This is a way of gaining information about the world around you, and I would say that any way of gaining information is good. What you DO with this information may be good or evil - some people are empathetic enough to find the emotionally weak and take advantage of them, and some people are empathetic enough to influence and inspire others to the benefit of all.
Compassion is sharing someone else's suffering. A limited kind of empathy with extra baggage. While I'll agree that many people who share the suffering of others are motivated to try and alleviate that suffering, I would hope that if they had the empathy but not the compassion they would do the same. Suffering is bad, so logically anything that causes MORE suffering is also bad. Which includes compassion.
Of course, some people are going to see this differently. Some people will see both as a weakness and some both as a strength. Some will even be upset that I would say something different from them, even though they will not be able to refute my points. I, on the other hand, will leave it to you to decide for yourself.
2007-04-12 08:15:27 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I can not understand either one of those words falling into weakness?
One being compassion, is a person with strength and will show you along the path.
Two having empathy, it's the total opposite of sympathy, empathy is feeling what the other person is going through, and you are willing to guide them through with confidence, and sympathy is feeling sorry for them and joining them in their shoes, that's when your weakness comes out, and you allow that person to take you down with them.
Compassion and empathy is very strong to carry, I don't think anyone having those two, are nearly weak.
2007-04-18 13:16:07 · answer #2 · answered by too_b_ur_self 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because those who see it as a weakness are the true weak ones and they are jealous. The person who shows the compassion/empathy are the true strong ones!
2007-04-12 09:32:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't. It is a sign of a big hearted person. One who has perception, understanding, and is not judgmental.
There are some people who try to take advantage of it. Only if you allow them to take advantage of your compassion and empathy is it a sign of weakness.
2007-04-18 20:33:33 · answer #4 · answered by michelebaruch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People seeking to take advantage of others search out those showing compassion and empathy because they figure those are the ones least likely to say no to their request.
Tough love is the ability to say no to unfit requests AND show compassion and empathy - teaching a person to fish instead of giving them fish and all.
2007-04-12 08:00:15 · answer #5 · answered by Ben 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are not weak to me. There is great strength in compassion and empathy. It takes a strong heart and soul to feel for and feel with others.
2007-04-12 08:00:54 · answer #6 · answered by yowhatdoyouwant 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Funny, I think it is only seen as weakness in the masculine half of society. They are supposed to be strong and conquering. For once we Lady's get a break.
In fact compassion and empathy are two of the traits I would love to see in all the leaders of our nations. Imagine what improvements would occur in world conditions if these traits were the star to steer by instead of power and greed.
2007-04-12 08:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by Leal 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It is weakness... or rather, it is vulnerability.
To show compassion is to expose a part of yourself, and when you let your enemy know any part of you, you show them a vulnerability... a weakness.
In truth though it is only the truly strong that can show compassion, because only the strong can survive such a glaring weakness.
2007-04-12 08:14:27 · answer #8 · answered by stn1225 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A lot of people think that is not a weakness, but the popular culture puts it out that people should swallow their emotions. For instance, a man should not wear pink (well until recently).
2007-04-19 09:34:08 · answer #9 · answered by andrea c 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't period! It doesn't make you weak. Insecure and selfish people might think it so, but it's not so. It takes strength to put yourself in someone else's situation so that you can understand what they're going through and offer some sort of support.
2007-04-12 08:38:02 · answer #10 · answered by Slim Shady 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋