If you haven't lived it, can it ever really be understood?
2007-08-08 13:58:08 · 13 answers · asked by zingis 6 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
There have been people who decided to go and live it, just to find out. I give you as an example Simone Weil, born into a wealthy family, who went to work in fields and factories and to fight in the Spanish Civil War against the Fascists, because she wanted to understand the brute necessity of the world.
2007-08-08 16:46:13 · answer #1 · answered by RE 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's impossible to crawl into someone else's skin, so no, we will never understand anyone else completely. On the other hand, we can still learn about a person without living his or her life. That's empathy. So yes, it can be understood to a certain extent, but never in the same way as it is understood by someone else.
2007-08-08 22:32:31 · answer #2 · answered by teeleecee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not, but some people who have not lived it can understand it or get it good enough to help you or be somewhat empathetic to what it is like to be you.
It is likely the some other people have walked in "your shoes".
Is it possible to feel another persons sadness?
2007-08-08 21:08:11 · answer #3 · answered by Raul21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it can't be understood. I think you have to experience or live what the other person has or is in order to really understand or relate.
2007-08-08 21:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by green_clovers66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only those who lived a similar life can ever truly understand. A rare few can imagine what it's like and be more understanding, but never know.
2007-08-08 21:10:35 · answer #5 · answered by genemmmx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can understand WHY someone feels/acts like they do - but you cannot RELATE to them unless you have ACTUALLY been there yourself...
For example: I know the reason WHY women do some of the things that they do (e.g. fall for the bad boy) - but since I'm a guy (and NOT one of the bad boys themselves), I will NEVER know or understand the driving force that causes them to make the same choice/mistake OVER AND OVER AGAIN ;);););)
2007-08-08 21:06:39 · answer #6 · answered by kr_toronto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's possible to fully understand someone, but I think you're just supposed to think about what it might be like to be the person whose shoes we're supposed to walk in.
2007-08-08 23:36:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Not until we have been there. However, we can empathize and learn about that side of the tracks so that we can understand the other person better.
2007-08-08 21:57:07 · answer #8 · answered by Wrong number 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes ... were all humans and no matter what we all feel the same things. Just because you didn't grow up there doesn't mean you can't understand there life.
2007-08-08 21:02:01 · answer #9 · answered by ursolastsummer! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One complains he has no shoes, until he see's someone who
has no feet. <}:-})
2007-08-08 21:04:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋