Empathy or Compassion? On Rational Understanding of Emotional Suffering

Victoria Aizkalna

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Chapter 3 Empathy or Compassion? On Rational Understanding of Emotional Suffering

In: Empathy: Emotional, Ethical and Epistemological Narratives

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Victoria Aizkalna

Victoria Aizkalna
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 28–40

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004398122_004

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Abstract

The subject of empathy and the role it has in forming a well-functioning society has become widely discussed since the advances of modern technology of functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI) give us the possibility to read human brain and track what parts of brain respond to certain stimuli. High, therefore, is the temptation of falling into a rabbit hole of labeling certain parts of physical human brain to be the key to understanding of a complex world of human mind and consciousness, of feelings and emotions. In the present article the focus is on understanding phenomenon of empathy, and also to the downsides of the cult of empathy. Saying this, by no means I want to diminish the value of findings and discoveries of neurosciences, however I am going to argue that mapping the brain is not the key to understanding mind, and that empathy is not the key to the solution of conflicts, nor it leads to stronger societal bonds. What does, then? There is no one, nor two or three good answers. There are plenty of ways to approach the subject, and any of them are right and wrong to certain extend. However, it might be safe to say that going back to the roots is the place to begin. Complex mechanism of society is based on interpersonal relationships of individuals. Individuals are shaped by the society they live in. To understand how this process intertwines and where is the place for the empathy, if it is at all needed, in the present article is approached through the phenomenon of conceptual schemes and consciousness in the theories of Donald Davidson and Daniel Dennett. Through understanding of the ways of processing and storing information for further use and decision-making, we will see what are the dangers of over-using empathy, and argue for usefulness of rational compassion.

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Empathy: Emotional, Ethical and Epistemological Narratives

Series: At the Interface / Probing the Boundaries, Volume: 123

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004398122

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 24 May 2019

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Chapter 3 Empathy or Compassion? On Rational Understanding of Emotional Suffering

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Empathy: Emotional, Ethical and Epistemological Narratives

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