The Limits of Empathy (Ruminations of an Old Man)
I believe that we are born loving. Wanting to understand and be understood. Craving love and craving to give love.
Some few are not born so. Many of us lose our loving nature as we grow and learn from others. But beneath all is the wisdom we are graced with: to feel the emotions of others, to care for others, to sacrifice for others.
Some call this “empathy”. Others speak of the Golden Rule. Others talk of altruism and look to evolution and neuroscience for why we are this way.
I want to understand what is the impulse and how or whether it can lead us to a good life. And I want to understand how or whether limits to feeling with others and being loving are needed for a good life.
Arf