(June 15, 2025 at 9:02 am)Alan V Wrote: Are you saying that we should be empathetic with those who are not empathetic? That we should be tolerant of the intolerant?
I don't believe you have thought this through. Those are not the ways to promote empathy and tolerance IMO.
I think most people will agree with you. The standard version seems to be that we are right to pass judgment on people, and the ones who (in our humble opinion) don't deserve empathy get no empathy from us.
I don't think there's a one-size-fits all answer to whether we should have empathy for those who lack empathy. For example, you seem to be saying that we should lack empathy for many people (those who lack empathy).
But all that is about feelings, really. And our feelings about other people, in my opinion, are not a good foundation for ethical decisions. It's easy to act ethically toward those for whom we feel empathy. It is more likely we'll act badly toward people for whom we do not feel empathy. If we want to act ethically, we should take empathy and our other feelings and affections out of the equation. I act ethically (I hope) not because I like the person I'm dealing with, but because it is good for me to act ethically.
The OP made a limited and reasonable argument, if I'm understanding him correctly. He said that when we're discussing religion with believers, it is good to approach them with empathy. Basically, you catch more flies with honey, etc. I think he is correct.
I also think that if this is our only method we will usually fail, simply because we withhold empathy so easily.
