jojobean wrote:
example: when someone gets hurt, I feel the need to help elievate the suffering, but I am not totally torn by it though because I am not in their possition, so while the moral factor is still there, the empathy is not...it is just a matter of fact thing to me....person is hurt, so because I am here, I need to alievate suffering.
However, when it comes to injustice...I can get downright pissed, because I have experienced much injustice in my life.
tell me what you think on the subject.
I was just having myself a think about this. You sound fairly normal. Few people actually become as upset as the person experiencing pain, but they will help to alleviate. Even a lot of NTs don't bother with that, so you're fine in that regard. Also, you have a sense of social justice outside of yourself, which is healthy. Your empathy chip is working in some capacity.
I've noticed on this site, as much as my dealings with people in real life, people have a double standard, and really have no qualms about being cruel, but are just as quick to take offense at the slightest hint of aggression, and I don't think that's a spectrum thing- it's a human being thing. A lot of people scurry away when they've been rotten, so they don't have to apologize or deal with being "wrong." At the same time they flip out if they even perceive the slightest attack. Again, that's a people thing, not just a spectrum thing.
I've met a lot of people in person who lack theory of mind, but there's a world of difference between someone who doesn't quite know how (or why) they should react and may come across as insensitive, versus the person who chronically is a dick and can't bring themselves to care.
In short, I think behavioural science should differentiate between social empathy, and moral empathy.
16 May 2011, 1:52 am
