Empathy

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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#1
Is empathy something you can teach or is it natural?
 
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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#3
Yes, it can, to an extent, be taught. This was 80% of our therapy with sex offenders.
Hm... Do you think there are some people who just can't be taught empathy?
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#4
Hm... Do you think there are some people who just can't be taught empathy?
Of course. But, it's NOT that they cannot learn to be empathetic, it is that they aren't willing to. You have to very much forget about "you" to feel another's life.
 
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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#5
Of course. But, it's NOT that they cannot learn to be empathetic, it is that they aren't willing to. You have to very much forget about "you" to feel another's life.
Hm.... thanks Willie
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#6
AND............ It is highly doubtful that a single one of us can ever learn to be empathetic to all people, in all situations. I think that is impossible for humans.
 
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Miri

Guest
#7
It mostly comes with life experiences too.

If you don't know what it is like to experience the death of a loved one for example,
then it can be hard to understand the effect it has on someone else. It's only when
you experience it yourself that you can fully empathise.

Not all examples have to be that extreme but you know what I mean.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#8
Some people just don't want to either, they are so consumed with their own life
that they don't have time for anyone else.

Others can be so bogged down with depression, mental health problems etc
that they simply cannot take on board the difficulties of another and it probably
wouldn't be healthy for them to do so.
 
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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#9
It mostly comes with life experiences too.

If you don't know what it is like to experience the death of a loved one for example,
then it can be hard to understand the effect it has on someone else. It's only when
you experience it yourself that you can fully empathise.

Not all examples have to be that extreme but you know what I mean.
I think that's true as well
 

Desertsrose

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2016
2,824
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#10
Is empathy something you can teach or is it natural?
Hi Natania,

Experience is the best teacher. That's one way I've learned to have compassion for others. Other times it's been by reading scripture and having my mind renewed and transformed by God's truth.
 
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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#11
Hi Natania,

Experience is the best teacher. That's one way I've learned to have compassion for others. Other times it's been by reading scripture and having my mind renewed and transformed by God's truth.
So, if people don't expedience many things they won't have empathy for many things?
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#12
So, if people don't expedience many things they won't have empathy for many things?
You can have a degree of empathy without actually experiencing the same circumstances. But, usually, "sympathy" is about the best you can hope to achieve.
 
Feb 5, 2017
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#14
I've observed that people get empathy and sympathy mixed up. em = to put into (to put yourself in someone else's shoes), sym = to mirror/join together (someone was sad so I sat down with them and made them feel better about it).

This is why dogs are very sympathetic, which makes them appear human because they feel how we feel, but only a conscious person who is more self-aware can be empathetic and see the solution to how you feel.

I find a lot of people struggle with empathy, yet might say they are empathic but are actually more sympathetic. They will often speak without thinking who they are affecting. This is simply a lack of self-awareness.

Jesus was an example of a pure empath. That is why some of the actions and things he said, may have come across as harsh or angry, but it is tough love that forces people to question their actions, hence 'self-awareness'. And it is more loving than being passive or neutral.

Jesus said, forgive them father, for they know not what they do. In essence, saying that these people lacked self-awareness.

So the first thing in letting go of your sinful nature is to be aware of it. For me, and yes this is just my personal opinion because I look at things differently, Jesus's death on the cross gave people self-awareness of their actions. I believe after Jesus was crucified, self-awareness started to evolve, and humans thought things could be better, and that this and that is wrong, and this is sin and that is not. Again these are just my thoughts in the moment, nothing in stone.

Jesus was the one true empath, and it is our empathy which we need to work on to be closer to God and to be less sinful. Empathy is kind of a knowing, knowing comes from knowledge, and also comes from God because God is all-knowing.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
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#15
So, if people don't expedience many things they won't have empathy for many things?
Especially when it comes to sufferings and tribulations. Maybe this is one of the reasons that Paul counted his troubles as profitable.
 
Dec 9, 2011
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#16
It mostly comes with life experiences too.

If you don't know what it is like to experience the death of a loved one for example,
then it can be hard to understand the effect it has on someone else. It's only when
you experience it yourself that you can fully empathise.

Not all examples have to be that extreme but you know what I mean.
Yes,I agree empathy can't be taught but It can be Identified with from experience.
 
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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#18
To make it clear,
I know the difference from empathy and sympathy

I am wondering about empathy
 

Desertsrose

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2016
2,824
207
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#19
So, if people don't expedience many things they won't have empathy for many things?

Let me put it this way. Those in my life that have true compassion and empathize with my pain and symptoms I live with are those who have a similar or the same struggles. They care more than family does at times because they know the pain and understand it on a more intimate level.

And in my own life, experience has been my best teacher. We learn valuable lessons in the school of hard knocks.

I don't know of very many people who haven't had some serious situations in life like deaths, sickness, disease family issues cancer, etc.

But it's always a heart issue isn't it. That's why I included the transforming of our minds through the power of God and His word.

It's amazing how you consider your old life before Christ and you new life in Christ. Our hearts change and we become compassionate towards others as God tills the soil of our heart.

 
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TemporaryCircumstances

Guest
#20

Let me put it this way. Those in my life that have true compassion and empathize with my pain and symptoms I live with are those who have a similar or the same struggles. They care more than family does at times because they know the pain and understand it on a more intimate level.

And in my own life, experience has been my best teacher. We learn valuable lessons in the school of hard knocks.

I don't know of very many people who haven't had some serious situations in life like deaths, sickness, disease family issues cancer, etc.

But it's always a heart issue isn't it. That's why I included the transforming of our minds through the power of God and His word.

It's amazing how you consider your old life before Christ and you new life in Christ. Our hearts change and we become compassionate towards others as God tills the soil of our heart.

:) thank you for your answer