Empathy

[billroper]

I hear a lot from some people about how it is important to honor their lived experiences and understand how it has affected them and the things that they believe in. I believe that there is a *lot* to be said for this. Empathy can go a long way in human relationships and trying to treat other people well.

This is why I find it distressing that some (not all) of the people who are making this sort of argument seem unwilling to honor the lived experiences of other people who have had very different experiences than they did and who reach different conclusions as a result. They seem to be lacking in the very empathy that they demand from others.

As usual in such discussions, if this shoe does not fit you, please do not try to jam it onto your foot like some Evil Stepsister. :)

Comments

[madfilkentist]

Occasionally I hear the "paradox of tolerance" argument, which is based on a misreading of a footnote in Popper. This supposed "paradox" says, in effect, "If you're tolerant of 'intolerant' people, then the intolerant will win. Therefore, to support tolerance, you must be intolerant of anyone who disagrees with you."