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[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you all know how much I value your opinions- so what are your thoughts on "empathy"?

Comments

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

It's good to have some. You can't go through life being an emotionless robot and it's nice to be able to know what others are feeling. You don't always have to care, but it's good to know.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

So you're saying that you believe that lack of empathy means lack of emotion entirely?

[pandorabox]

Empathy? It's a useful skill to have.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

And why is that?

[roseandsparkle.livejournal.com]

I think it's a good thing to have!

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Why?

[hates-cliches.livejournal.com]

Empathy is a form of weakness.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

For once, you say something that I can agree with.

[hotpinkaura.livejournal.com]

...

What's that?

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Oh, for-

Empathy is the ability to feel another's emotions first-hand- not just to recognize or understand them, but to actually feel them.

[dormition]

It lets you understand others.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

But it isn't necessary.

[blackswordsmen.livejournal.com]

Empathy? Who cares, empathy doesn't matter much on the battlefield.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Precisely. And even off the battlefield, it clouds your judgement and makes things needlessly complicated.

[thricedeadwind.livejournal.com]

Empathy within others may mark the difference between individuals who work in regards to others' goals, and individuals who work regardless of others' goals.

Recalling our previous ... discussion, note I did not say 'in support' of others' goals, this is merely with the understanding and anticipation. I have known those with strong hearts who understand those of the people, who still ruthlessly execute their tasks and missions.

Yet it is because of their ability to emphasize that they will not wander astray from their original ideals, and become what they stand against. Surely you would not wish people to disregard your motivations so easily.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

I can anticipate the thoughts and movements of others without feeling their emotions. I can predict and understand those emotions without feeling them. I don't need to empathize to stay consistent; your ideas are ridiculous.

[the-air-corsair.livejournal.com]

I think I've already spoken on that issue. My stance doesn't change anymore than yours does.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

I realize that we've spoken. You accused me of indifference.

[wannabesanta.livejournal.com]

Empathy?... That's a human emotion, am I right?

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

It is.

[oceanicbutterfly]

It's important for people to have.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Not really.

[eschatologist.livejournal.com]

It is a useful personality trait. While empathy is not required to know one intellectually, emotionally it is something one would suggest maintaining. A human's heart is quite ... Interesting. In this sense, empathy permits one the vulnerability necessary to form and uphold an intimate understanding. It is a way for others to bond. In that weakness, there is immense strength. It is a contradiction, to be ascertained, however from observing others I have gleaned that this "backing" of emotion can bring much change where one would be unable to do so, alone.

I suppose one might grant an example: A mob's mentality. A human's ability to empathize strengthens and otherwise maintains the core emotion of the group. Since humans without enhancements are quite powerless on their own, this ability is what allowed for revolutions to occur and to occur successfully. Brute force? Naturally, though without the individual's concept of empathy, there would be no grand movements. The human being would become stagnated. A lack of empathy in the world on a grand scale is what is disabling most, nowadays.

While it is in fact possible for one to monitor, analyze, and read another's emotions without the ability to empathize, there is no power that could be sought from such a thing. It is merely observation, and observation alone tends not to suffice in all situations.

((ooc: ... Way to ping the boy who waxes philosophical on this canonically. Sob.))

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Someone finally gets what I was trying to say! Fantastisch!

Bit wordy isn't it, though?

[ihave-control.livejournal.com]

It's important to have some. Otherwise I doubt that people would be able to understand and co-operate with each other as much as they need to.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

I disagree. One can understand without empathizing.

[so-zetta-lazy.livejournal.com]

It comes in handy.

((As a player, I can imagine him using mind scan a lot just to check out what's going on with people.))

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

It sounds extremely distracting and annoying.

[lightning-larx.livejournal.com]

If you know what someone feels, it's easy enough to use that against them~ ♥

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Oh, naturally. But you don't need to be empathetic to know what someone feels.

[hok-ton.livejournal.com]

Painful.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

It would seem so.

[cold-sarcasm.livejournal.com]

... It's a bother. I would assume.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

As would I.

[clandestinegrin.livejournal.com]

What's that, naa? ♥

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

The ability to feel the emotions of others as they themselves experience them. For example, someone else's sadness making you feel sad.

[canhaswrenchpls.livejournal.com]

what about it?
it just happens. people have a basic understanding of their own species. i don't understand what the hell other species are up to though.

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, so I've heard.

[edlaffsatyou.livejournal.com]

Such sincerity detected...

[peoplesprincess.livejournal.com]

Excuse me?