General Discussion

AAO

(3,300 posts) Sat Mar 16, 2013, 09:07 PM Mar 2013

Do you have the ability to put yourself in somone else's shoes?

I get so sick and tired of people not possessing that ability speaking on my behalf. Oh, I just found out my son is gay. Hmmmm, let me think for a year or two. Yeah, I love my son to much for him to be deprived of (insert whatever).

Why does something have to hit them personally for them to understand the devastation of their stupid f-ing votes?

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Do you have the ability to put yourself in somone else's shoes? (Original Post) AAO Mar 2013 OP

That got me too. So this man hates Gays till HIS SON is Gay. Auntie Bush Mar 2013 #1

Apparently there is a high percentage of sociopaths in politics. AAO Mar 2013 #2

It's human nature, and we ALL do it Demo_Chris Mar 2013 #3

I think people have different levels of empathy LiberalEsto Mar 2013 #4

Not always, no. I try.... sibelian Mar 2013 #5

For many, it is a skill learned over a long period of time Orrex Mar 2013 #6

Yes....sometimes I think to a fault. Witan00 Mar 2013 #7

Auntie Bush

(17,528 posts)

1. That got me too. So this man hates Gays till HIS SON is Gay.

Reply to AAO (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 09:15 PM

Mar 2013

I'd be afraid to admit that. So now all the awful things he said about gays are now OK?

AAO

(3,300 posts)

2. Apparently there is a high percentage of sociopaths in politics.

Reply to Auntie Bush (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 09:30 PM

Mar 2013

That would explain the inability to "put yourself in another ones shoes". Only when it hits your own loved ones does it become real.

Demo_Chris

(6,234 posts)

3. It's human nature, and we ALL do it

Reply to AAO (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 10:01 PM

Mar 2013

If it helps, don't think of them as being late to the party -- perhaps you were arrived early -- and you are together there now.

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)

4. I think people have different levels of empathy

Reply to AAO (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 10:07 PM

Mar 2013

We're not born with equal amounts of empathy. Some have brain abnormalities and become sociopaths.
Some who have the right brain wiring may be abused as children and consequently lose the capacity for empathy. Others might never see adults show empathy, so they don't even know what it is.
I do feel sorry for them to some extent, but I agree with you that people who lack empathy can cause a great deal of suffering for others.

sibelian

(7,804 posts)

5. Not always, no. I try....

Reply to AAO (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 10:16 PM

Mar 2013

When I remember...

Orrex

(63,317 posts)

6. For many, it is a skill learned over a long period of time

Reply to AAO (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 10:19 PM

Mar 2013

For some, it is an ability present from a young age.

For Conservatives, it is a mythical condition almost impossible to achieve until they actually find themselves in the other person's shoes.

Honestly, I feel that I empathize pretty well but always with room for improvement.

Witan00

(51 posts)

7. Yes....sometimes I think to a fault.

Reply to AAO (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2013, 11:31 PM

Mar 2013

When you try to see things from everybody's different points of view, it can be quite overwhelming

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