Empathy for animals, not humans.

angelina3 wrote:I'm not sure how these theories fit the OP or this: when it comes to strangers, which has nothing to do with demandingness or intimacy, etc - I feel empathy - or something like it - when I hear of animals suffering, but little or nothing when I hear of humans suffering. I don't know what this means, except that some kind of empathy circuits are actually working in my head, but for whatever reason it only kicks in for animals. Otherwise I'd think I just didn't have the capacity to feel that emotion.

Perhaps it has something to do with the innocence of animals vs the culpability of humans? that animals who suffer don't deserve it, but humans who suffer are too stupid, too compliant, too complicit, too complacent (wow, love those words that just came off the keys ), too deserving of what they get to warrant empathy?

LifeSong wrote:Perhaps it has something to do with the innocence of animals vs the culpability of humans? that animals who suffer don't deserve it, but humans who suffer are too stupid, too compliant, too complicit, too complacent (wow, love those words that just came off the keys ), too deserving of what they get to warrant empathy?

This is an interesting idea!

For me, it depends on the situation, but any empathy I feel is very temporary. I tend to feel more empathy for strangers, while for people closer to me I feel jealousy--if they put my pride at risk, naturally.

For example, if I see a dead bird on the sidewalk, I will be very sad--VERY sad--for about 3 minutes. If I see a poor person begging for money, I will be disappointed in myself and unhappy that I did not help them, even guilty--for about 3 minutes. After they walk on, realize it would have been foolish to waste money. Donating to charities? Volunteering? Why waste the time? Comforting friends? Helping others? Why waste the time? These are people I enjoy (or not) in the moment, but not in the long term.

Anyway, what I mean to say is that yes, I develop an empathetic attachment to pets--if they do not get in my way or annoy me, instead--but it is not long term, nor does it alter from the behavior I present toward humans. I would "love" them, and my heart would break after they must be put to sleep, but a few hours or days later, did that dog even exist? I can't recall. Frankly, I hate my brain, but it's mine.

donniedarko... wrote:Idk about that, I've seen her say how much she loved the animal. Then hit it and yell at it, start crying say she was sorry to the dog. Yet she's proud vegan, thinks huntings wrong. Lol try bringing up the fact about population control and how it actually helps them, nope. Scary $#%^.

This is for everyone, please call your local animal control if you witness abuse. It's illegal to hit an animal. They will also come out if there is any neglect.