RE: Psychology Addict # 47 | Putting Ourselves in Other’s Shoes
What a brilliant way to start a blog about empathy--warning readers of distressing scenes ahead!
This blog was worth the wait, and one to which I related closely. There were a number of intersections with my own experience:
One was a Wordpress blog I wrote years ago in which I discussed Robert Park's theory of the Marginal Man. Park addresses the ability to separate ourselves from groups with which we don't identify--to marginalize these. We don't feel empathy because we don't believe members of these groups are like us.
Then I thought of a literature course I took on German drama. A little factoid came back to me about Gotthold Lessing, who is considered the founder of modern German drama. Essential to Lessing's concept is that we have to identify with, or feel empathy, for the protagonist in order to be engaged in the play.
And then, finally, there's personal experience. I worked for 8 years at a school for adolescents who had been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness. The founder of the school used to warn me not to let my "rescue" instinct get out of hand. There is a danger, in that context, I guess of having too much empathy. Although I never quite agreed with him :)
I can't end without mentioning a wonderful movie, District 9, that was released about 10 years ago. That whole movie is really about transforming from a place of not understanding to one of empathy. The protagonist (involuntarily) pays a very high price for acquiring empathy.
Beautifully written, your blog was rich with information and references. I've already read Bloom's article and the Five Things about you:)
See you in two weeks!
Hello my dearest 😊
How nice to wake up to your always kind, encouraging words.
I have already saved the document Marginal Man as it is definitely something that interests me. I was prepared to read it straight away, but then after seeing the length of it I decided to postpone it for another time.
I had never heard of Gotthold Lessing before. But, how truthful is that? It reminded me of a play I saw a few years back in London, in which Rowan Atkinson plays a lonely, lonely teacher. I felt for him all the way through the play. Hence, a hard to forget character.
I watched District 9, years and years ago. Excellent movie! It is very pertinent to this discussion. I am not a big fan of science fiction, but that one is much more than that. It is social. I used to think of District 9 every time I read about 'The Jungle' in Calais.
Oh, your previous job touched me very much. But, yeah ... my thinking towards that is, while is not sustainable to emotionally empathize with every single patient, we ought to resort to cognitive empathy. For me, that is a matter of morality :)
Ahahahah so you read my 5 facts! Ahhahahaha you are so sweet agmoore! PS: I like most of Bloom's work.
Well, it is morning coffee time over here !
I wish you a day filled with peace ❤
Much love to you!
My first read this morning, your response. What a positive start to my day! I have read about Calais--yes, exactly. And this is what Park addresses. In the US today we are going through a kind of mass marginalization. The politics of the time revolve around stigmatizing groups of people. Dreadful to live through.
I'm glad you agree with me, that when it comes to people (or animals), it's hard to draw a line and say "I've done enough, more is not reasonable." I think when we do that we are able to drive past a Jungle and see nothing.
I loved reading about you--the way you dealt with your husband during the earthquake is hilarious.
Enjoy your coffee. I haven't had mine yet so I hope this comment makes sense.
Have a day filled with inspiration and fulfillment.