Pages

Monday, July 27, 2015

Empathy: Overrated?

So asks this Atlantic article, regarding whether the Age of Reason should give way to the Age of Empathy:

Bad idea, say the cognitive psychologist Paul Bloom and the neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson. At their Aspen Ideas Festival talk on Thursday, Bloom allowed that a the word “empathy” as it’s sometimes colloquially used—to mean kindness, goodness, morality, and love—is unobjectionable. But in the Obama-esque sense of feeling another’s feelings, empathy, they contend, it mostly hurts the world. “To the extent that I’m an empathetic person,” Bloom said, “I’m a worse person.”

Empathy is a documented psychological phenomenon: If you see someone else poked in the hand, Bloom said, your own pain centers in the brain will light up. And scientists have demonstrated that you’re more likely to help someone whose pain you feel. The problem, as Bloom sees it, is that “because of its focusing properties, [empathy] can be innumerate, parochial, bigoted.” People are often more empathetic toward individuals who resemble themselves, a fact that can exacerbate already-existing social inequalities. And empathy can cause people to choose to embrace smaller goods at the expense of greater ones. "It's because of the zooming effect of empathy that the whole world cares more about a little girl stuck in a well than they do about the possible deaths of millions and millions due to climate change,” Bloom said.

Empathy can also make people do evil. “Atrocities are typically motivated by stories of suffering victims—stories of white women assaulted by blacks, stories of German children attacked by Jewish pedophiles," Bloom said. It also can lure countries into violent conflicts based on relatively small provocations, and researchers have shown that people who are more empathetic are more likely to want to impose harsh punishments on people. “The more empathy you have, the more violent you are—the more ready and willing you are to cause pain,” Bloom said.  

Empathy doesn’t even necessarily make day-to-day life more pleasant, they contend, citing research that shows a person’s empathy level has little or no correlation with kindness or giving to charity. And in the professions centered around helping others, empathy can be a burden, leading to burnout and incompetence caused by emotional contagion. “When I go to my therapist, I want her to understand me and I want her to make me better,” Bloom said. “But if I’m going, ‘I’m anxious and depressed!’ I don’t want her going, ‘I’m anxious and depressed!’”

So what should empathy be replaced with? Bloom and Davidson proposed two things. One is “rather cold-blooded, rational cost-benefit analysis,” Bloom said. “Go after not what gives you buzz, but what really helps other people." For example: Instead of giving to a child beggar in India, and thereby reward the criminal organization that likely put that child there, donate to Oxfam. The recommendation dovetails with the rising “effective altruism” movement, which The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson recently described as “munificence matched with math.”

Of course, this sounds a lot less emotionally fulfilling than helping someone you have a connection with. That’s where the second potential empathy replacement comes in: compassion.  To do good, Bloom said, “we need an emotional push. But the push need not come from empathy. It can come from love, from caring, from compassion, from more distant emotions that don't come from being swallowed up in the suffering of others."

At the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Davidson has studied the brains of Buddhist monks and explored the ways that compassion is neurologically distinct from empathy. He even believes it to be an intrinsic trait like linguistic ability—something that must be fostered at a young age to be implemented throughout life, and something that can be strengthened through practice. To that end, he and his colleagues developed a “kindness curriculum” for preschoolers.

But what about personal relationships—don’t they rely on empathy? Bloom and Davidson said it’s possible but not yet scientifically proven that some amount of empathy is indeed required in order to practice compassion. But they contend that even the closest relationships need not be dominated by the sharing of emotions. At the end of the Aspen session, an audience member posed a scenario to the scientists: What if she was fired from her job, and her partner offered her a back rub and kind words but didn’t truly get why she was upset? Wouldn’t the comfort feel hollow, useless?

“What you’re really asking for is compassion plus understanding,” Bloom replied. “Suppose you feel humiliated. I don’t think it’s what you want or what you need for your partner to feel humiliated. You want your partner to understand your humiliation and respond with love and kindness. I think for your partner to feel humiliated would be the worst thing you want. Because now, you have to worry about your partner’s feelings.”

16 comments:

  1. If I was held hostage by some thugs I would liked to be rescued fast by a psychopathic cop. My favourite movie socio cop is Dirty Harry, I like that scene where the bad guys demand a get away car, and he "gives" them one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome To George Clydesdale Loan Service….

      Are you a business man or woman? Are you in any financial mess or do you need funds to start up your own business? Do you need a loan to start a nice Small Scale and medium business? Do you have a low credit score and you are finding it hard to obtain capital loan from local banks and other financial institutes?.

      Our loans Are well insured for maximum security is our priority, Our leading goal is to help you get the service you deserve, Our program is the quickest way to get what you need in a snap. Reduce your payments to ease the strain on your monthly expenses. Gain flexibility with which you can use for any purpose – from vacations, to education, to unique purchases

      We offer a wide range of financial services which includes: Business Planning, Commercial and Development Finance, Properties and Mortgages, Debt Consolidation Loans, Business Loans, Private loans, Home Refinancing Loans with low interest rate @3% per annul for individuals, companies and corporate bodies. Get the best for your family and own your dream home as well with our General Loan scheme.

      Interested applicants should Contact us via email: {clydesdaleloancompany@yahoo.com or clydesdaleloancooperation@hotmail.com} or Tel: +1(347) 708-8926

      So we await to hear from you soon.
      Thanks for your cooperation
      George Clydesdale...

      Delete
  2. This has to be the most biased piece of shit article I have read on this site yet. The great sociopath Heros! Complete Bullshit! Oh... I'm not upset at all. Don't think that I took this foul bait. ; )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well butter my ass and call me a biscuit!
      A clearly outraged anon ranting about how not upset he is. Priceless :)

      Care to discuss rationally what got your panties in such a nasty twist? Or was that rant pretty much the extent of intelligent conversation and depth you are able to offer on the subject?

      Personally, I absolutely loved this article.
      Have found what Bloom is saying to be quite true, in my experience.

      Feelings of empathy are highly overrated. In fact, many "empaths" think that their feelings of empathy somehow automatically make them these benevolent bastions of goodness. To the point that they don't feel the need to ACT.

      For example: They see a homeless man dying in the street. They feel the empathy towards him, they give themselves a big pat on the back for feeeling...and move on without actually doing anything about the tragedy that triggered the empathy. Why make a move to help him or volunteer with the homeless? They already feel good about being such good, caring people.
      They treat their feelings as if they were benevolent acts.

      Some of the most hypocritical, self- centered assholes I know have claimed to be highly empathetic.

      Kat

      Delete
    2. Later, during lunch pause. Many are very good at talking about how they fealt, when they saw what was going on.

      Some turn into around. The episode was just another reason to talk about how it made THEY feel..

      That said. Some people feel, then disconnect, and then react and do something about the situation. They are just a dying breed.

      P.

      Delete
  3. This article makes some interesting points. Does empathy (in the narrower sense of feeling what others feel) lead to better (that's of course subjective) or even more compassionate decisions? People tend to empathize with those most like them or in their own groups which can lead to victimizing "others".

    Do decisions involving empathy and emotion serve the greater good better than purely rational ones? In one study, K Dutton's study asked "normal" people and psychopaths about a fat man variation of the trolley dilemma: the runaway trolley is heading down a track and will kill five people, but there is a fat man next to you you can push over, will fall on the track and stop the trolley. People in the normal group were made uncomfortable by the dilemma (part of their brain lit up) and 90% of them said they wouldn't do it. Those in the psycopaths group were for pushing the fat guy over, and weren't affected by the dilemma itself. There was a vast difference between the two groups in people's brain activity in response in response to the problem, and of course a difference in their answer to it. I also find it interesting that the psychopaths would want to save the five people on the track. One can argue that the normal people are morally right in not wanting to kill the one, the other side of that coin of course is that the psychopaths made a utilitarian decision and saved 5 people (normal people, death toll 5, psychopaths death toll 1)

    Would a society based on reason and practicality as opposed to one following subjective (and ever changing) constructs of "morality" (I am postulating here that empathy affects those constructs) perhaps benefit all? Maybe the world could use a bit less empathy and a bit more critical thinking in trying to solve the problems of our times.

    I in no way think all p/s are nice people, but neither do I think empaths have a monopoly on that either, there are nice people and awful people and everything in between at every point in the spectrum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It leads to apathy, bystander effect. Unless one has a lot of experience. Some just shut down their emotional side and start to act. Most don't. A good willed psycho is probably a better fit for such situations.

      p

      Delete
  4. Good Day !!

    I am Hwa Jurong, a Reputable, Legitimate & an accredited money
    Lender. I want to use this medium to inform you that i render reliable beneficiary
    assistance as I'll be glad to offer you a loan at 2% interest rate to
    reliable individuals.

    Services Rendered include:

    *Home Improvement
    *Inventor Loans
    *Car Loans
    *Debt Consolidation Loan
    *Line of Credit
    *Second Loan
    *Business Loans
    *Personal Loans
    *International Loans.

    Please write back if interested.
    Upon Response, you'll be mailed a Loan application form to fill. (No social
    security and no credit check, 100% Guaranteed!) I Look forward permitting me to
    be of service to you. You can contact me via e-mail:hwajurong382@yahoo.com hwajurong12@gmail.com
    Yours Sincerely,

    Hwa Jurong(MD).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello everyone am here to testify how i got my loan from Mr Akisu. after i applied several times from various loan lenders who claimed to also testify right in this forum,i thought the testimonies where real and i applied but they never gave me loan. I was in need of an urgent loan to start a business and i applied from various loan lenders who promised to help but they never gave me the loan.Until a friend of mine introduce me to Mr Akisu. who promised to help me and indeed he did as he promised without any form of delay.I never thought there are still reliable loan lenders until i met Mr.Akisu,who are indeed helped with the loan and changed my belief.I don't know if you are in any way in need of a genuine and urgent loan,free feel to contact Mr.Akisu via his email{Akisuloancompany@gmail.com} Thank you may God bless you

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Anita. I live in UK London and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of $250,000.00 U.S. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Anita, that refer you to him. contact Mr.Robert,via email:(robertfinancial_loancompany@yahoo.com)Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  7. Our senior pastor at remnant church pastor victor kim has this act he puts on when he hears something that he thinks should induce an emotional reaction.... he says... hmmmmm. and looks down. I wonder if he stands in front of the mirror and practice this look. Pastor victor kim do not seem to have any concern for his victims. He has had affairs with women, but manages to lie to his family that it's a conspiracy theory. His family totally eats up these lies and believe him. A pro con artist and an amazing liar. fooled everyone. He is at it again and trying to start another ministry.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Attention,
    Apply for a quick and convenient loan to pay off bills, Xmas loan, Mortgage loan, Consolidation loan and to start a new business or re-financing your projects at a cheapest interest rate of 3%. Do contact us today via: Henryclark003@gmail.com with loan amount needed.
    We are certified, registered and legitimate lender.
    You can contact us today if you are interested in getting this loan, contact us for more information about the loan process, process like the loan terms and conditions and how the loan will be transferred to you. We need your urgent response if you are interested.

    First Information Needed From You:

    Full Names:…………
    Country:…………...
    State/Province:……………
    Tele Phone Number:…………
    Duration:…………
    Amount Needed as Loan:………..
    House Address/Office Address:..........
    Occupation:............
    Monthly Income:……….
    Marital Status:………..
    Age/Gender:…………..
    Loan Purpose:…………..
    Have you applied for a loan before? (YES) Or (NO):...


    NOTE: All Responses should be forwarded to:
    HENRYCLARK003@GMAIL.COM
    for quick
    processing.
    Thank You.

    C.E.O/ Henry Clark.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This page is very nice that is providing us very beneficent and interesting information about essay writing services and i m thankful for this precious post about a important topic.

    ReplyDelete
  10. DIRECT SERVICE ONLINE FIRM
    HEAD OFFICE---Richmond Road,Worthing, United Kingdom
    EMAIL--[directserviceonlinefirm@gmail.com]
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    We give out loans from the range of $1,000 to $90,000,000.at an interest
    of 2% Interest rate.

    Interested clients should please fill our form below-

    NAME--------------
    COUNTRY-----------
    ADDRESS--------------
    AMOUNT OF LOAN NEEDED-------
    PURPOSE OF LOAN ------------
    SCAN AND ATTACH YOUR IDENTITY CARD--
    OFFICE/HOME PHONE NUMBER-----------
    GENDER---------------------------

    Our company mailing contact box is
    via- [directserviceonlinefirm@gmail.com]

    ROSE WILLIAMS
    EMAIL--[directserviceonlinefirm@gmail.com]
    DIRECT SERVICE ONLINE FIRM

    ReplyDelete
  11. End your financial worries

    End your financial worries now: We offer all types Loan for new year loan,Personal Loan,Real Estate, Business plan,Renovation, Infrastructural, Hotel,Investment Loan ETC at low interest rate of 3%. contact us now pwloancompany484@gmail.com for more information

    End your financial worries

    ReplyDelete
  12. Welcome To George Clydesdale Loan Service….

    Are you a business man or woman? Are you in any financial mess or do you need funds to start up your own business? Do you need a loan to start a nice Small Scale and medium business? Do you have a low credit score and you are finding it hard to obtain capital loan from local banks and other financial institutes?.

    Our loans Are well insured for maximum security is our priority, Our leading goal is to help you get the service you deserve, Our program is the quickest way to get what you need in a snap. Reduce your payments to ease the strain on your monthly expenses. Gain flexibility with which you can use for any purpose – from vacations, to education, to unique purchases

    We offer a wide range of financial services which includes: Business Planning, Commercial and Development Finance, Properties and Mortgages, Debt Consolidation Loans, Business Loans, Private loans, Home Refinancing Loans with low interest rate @3% per annul for individuals, companies and corporate bodies. Get the best for your family and own your dream home as well with our General Loan scheme.

    Interested applicants should Contact us via email: {clydesdaleloancompany@yahoo.com or clydesdaleloancooperation@hotmail.com} or Tel: +1(347) 708-8926

    So we await to hear from you soon.
    Thanks for your cooperation
    George Clydesdale...

    ReplyDelete

Comments on posts over 14 days are SPAM filtered and may not show up right away or at all.