[sorry for the late response, this poetry month has me consumed]
I really like this Samuel, (even though I cringe at the rejection of capitalism but I think you mean mindless consumerism which is surely its dark side...but that for another day). Many disparate thoughts! Will offer a few. Although I have not read Rousseau his formulation of primordial self-interest and compassion rang true. We have - and should have - both.
Also your reactions to the current scolds of our times is spot on. Part of what is going on in our ultra-virtue-signaling culture is anything but empathy. It's a show to fool others and worse, ourselves, in how we are worthy of our fortunes. Like original sin. We have killed religion only to have it resurrect in this ugly form. From a political perspective, I have come to actually have "empathy" for the extreme left for exactly the frustration you touch upon, because they at least have their motives in the right place (although their solutions are terribly destructive, leading to much evil). This in contrast with the mindless consuming types who shop to fill the void, and even worse the elite-virtue-signaling types who are often (have you noticed?) the most privileged among us! So while how empathy is used needs the scolding you so articulately mete out, the original concept is both innate and essential to a meaningful life...
Apr 11, 2023Liked by Minter Dial, Nicci Kadilak, Samuel Lopez-Barrantes
A deep reflection on a truth about your world view..from the time you could talk. So is empathy “nature or nurture”, or do we have to “feel” what/who we should be empathetic about, or is it truly an immediate heart reaction in the moment of realizing-with empathetic detachment-the suffering of the person (sentient) in front of us ( vs the masses on the news)? Detachment/compassion from Buddhist viewpoint would be an interesting addition to your reflections.
[sorry for the late response, this poetry month has me consumed]
I really like this Samuel, (even though I cringe at the rejection of capitalism but I think you mean mindless consumerism which is surely its dark side...but that for another day). Many disparate thoughts! Will offer a few. Although I have not read Rousseau his formulation of primordial self-interest and compassion rang true. We have - and should have - both.
Also your reactions to the current scolds of our times is spot on. Part of what is going on in our ultra-virtue-signaling culture is anything but empathy. It's a show to fool others and worse, ourselves, in how we are worthy of our fortunes. Like original sin. We have killed religion only to have it resurrect in this ugly form. From a political perspective, I have come to actually have "empathy" for the extreme left for exactly the frustration you touch upon, because they at least have their motives in the right place (although their solutions are terribly destructive, leading to much evil). This in contrast with the mindless consuming types who shop to fill the void, and even worse the elite-virtue-signaling types who are often (have you noticed?) the most privileged among us! So while how empathy is used needs the scolding you so articulately mete out, the original concept is both innate and essential to a meaningful life...
When I learn of a tragic crime, my empthy goes out first to the victims and then I ask of the perpetrators, "Oh, I wonder what broke that poor soul?"
A deep reflection on a truth about your world view..from the time you could talk. So is empathy “nature or nurture”, or do we have to “feel” what/who we should be empathetic about, or is it truly an immediate heart reaction in the moment of realizing-with empathetic detachment-the suffering of the person (sentient) in front of us ( vs the masses on the news)? Detachment/compassion from Buddhist viewpoint would be an interesting addition to your reflections.
Bravo! ♥️
I don't think it was meant that way, but that felt like a beautiful scolding, the kind you get from a mentor you look up to and accept without demure.
(that is even although I already agreed with what you've written)
Very well expressed, Samuel.