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General Discussion

Cary

(11,746 posts) Sun May 6, 2018, 04:50 PM May 2018

Empathy has to flow both ways [View all]

You can't have empathy if you're not willing to give it back.

I think many of us at DU expect empathy but are wholly unable or unwilling to offer any in return.

I think maybe I have finally put my finger on the real issue that I have with this place, generally. At one time I did get empathy here and still find it in some. But then there are some hard liners who will go so far as to use my expectations against me.

That's a shame.

49 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Empathy has to flow both ways [View all] Cary May 2018 OP

You're right kind of, it SHOULD flow both ways, elleng May 2018 #1

It's been a disappointment Cary May 2018 #3

Yes indeed we are in this together. elleng May 2018 #4

This message was self-deleted by its author elocs May 2018 #2

Empathy is one of my elements when I define liberalism Cary May 2018 #7

Yes a lot more empathy... LakeArenal May 2018 #5

I can get the outrage from #fakepresident cult followers Cary May 2018 #6

Absolutely. AND I didn't need any "explaining". LakeArenal May 2018 #9

"Explaining" Cary May 2018 #17

Yes it is a shame.... Heartstrings May 2018 #8

This message was self-deleted by its author elocs May 2018 #10

That's a bit more dramatic than what I referred to. Cary May 2018 #11

This message was self-deleted by its author elocs May 2018 #13

Must we have equality of empathy? brer cat May 2018 #15

No one has to anything Cary May 2018 #16

"No one has to anything" Right, neither do I. I'm out. elocs May 2018 #18

I am wrestling with something that has nothing to do with you or what you have said Cary May 2018 #19

Of course not. brer cat May 2018 #20

Ugh Cary May 2018 #21

True. The same could be said for respect. Boomerproud May 2018 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author elocs May 2018 #14

K&R Gothmog May 2018 #22

It does not have to flow both ways. NCTraveler May 2018 #23

I'm sick and tired of the non-constructive conflict Cary May 2018 #24

Education is the solution. NCTraveler May 2018 #25

Agree empathy is an individual thing that occurs within a person. Hortensis May 2018 #30

I get that but I have been wedged Cary May 2018 #31

True, but I think it was killed in a murder-suicide with "Civility". Behind the Aegis May 2018 #26

So do you expect to get something back for your generosity? vlyons May 2018 #27

What makes you think empathy is generosity? Cary May 2018 #32

What makes you think that it isn't? vlyons May 2018 #34

Look up enlightened self interest Cary May 2018 #35

You don't need to teach me about empathy vlyons May 2018 #44

This is a discussion board Cary May 2018 #45

good for you vlyons May 2018 #48

Maybe. Cary May 2018 #49

Empathy doesn't require, nor should a truly empathetic person expect, reciprocation or EffieBlack May 2018 #28

Says who? Cary May 2018 #36

I should add... Cary May 2018 #37

Then why do you expect empathy to be returned and feel slighted that it didn't happen? EffieBlack May 2018 #39

Who said I feel slighted? Cary May 2018 #41

And I didnt mean to infer you are self destructive or an addict Cary May 2018 #42

That's a different issue EffieBlack May 2018 #38

It's an example that illustrates why your point is not well taken. Cary May 2018 #43

empathy doesn't flow. One is either empathic WhiteTara May 2018 #29

What's going on is that we have a fascist in the White House, Cary May 2018 #33

No. Empathy doesn't have to flow both ways JI7 May 2018 #40

You insist on living in a spiritually dualistic world? Cary May 2018 #46

It all flows. You must let go to allow it Cary May 2018 #47