Is it wrong to feel empathy for psychopaths?

[Inkubus]

I know it's some embarrassing shit to read. Snowflakes and overweight boxers?

[Dexta]

And to claim that using mere words
is being a "snowflake" only reinforces this.  Very sad.

I said nothing of the sort - I said that our being royally pissed off at his hurtful words doesn't make us snowflakes.

[Dexta]

Y'know, having a go at someone around here is pretty tired.

Dex made it personal a few months back, I'm not ready to let him off the hook just yet. And if I remember correctly you've had a similar encounter/actions in the past.

 I remember things got personal a couple of months back, and have been rolling like that ever since with you here. I must say I have no memory of how this "beef" started or the topic was about. In my mind it's like the old cliche of two warring factions, neither of which can remember how the war started but keep fighting regardless because of recent damaging repercussions.

I'll be very open and honest now in saying I love dogs, and I know I keep going for your avatar, although in real life I've only known one german shepherd in my life thus far and her owner was an ex-soldier, now lorry driver, who said killing is just in our nature so he ho, or words to that effect. That GS also cut my sister's face with her teeth. I think you're probs right and any breed of dog can be "brought up right" and be a goodun, and it sounds like yours is so all good. SOME people buy german shephards 'cos they want a weapon dog. Not you I think and hope.

Anyway, what say we draw a line under this problem, turn the page and go back to civil, as we were before? I don't hate you man. I respect you a fair bit even. Peace?

[brewerb]

Dex made it personal a few months back, I'm not ready to let him off the hook just yet. And if I remember correctly you've had a similar encounter/actions in the past.

 I remember things got personal a couple of months back, and have been rolling like that ever since with you here. I must say I have no memory of how this "beef" started or the topic was about. In my mind it's like the old cliche of two warring factions, neither of which can remember how the war started but keep fighting regardless because of recent damaging repercussions.

I'll be very open and honest now in saying I love dogs, and I know I keep going for your avatar, although in real life I've only known one german shepherd in my life thus far and her owner was an ex-soldier, now lorry driver, who said killing is just in our nature so he ho, or words to that effect. That GS also cut my sister's face with her teeth. I think you're probs right and any breed of dog can be "brought up right" and be a goodun, and it sounds like yours is so all good. SOME people buy german shephards 'cos they want a weapon dog. Not you I think and hope.

Anyway, what say we draw a line under this problem, turn the page and go back to civil, as we were before? I don't hate you man. I respect you a fair bit even. Peace?

I'll agree to a truce. I don't believe I have the ability to provide anyone peace.

[Inkubus]

I'm going to vomit through my eyes.

[Dexta]

Too much? Sorry 

[Cavebear]

Backing out slowly regarding a fight I was unaware of...

[Edible crust]

I'm willing to admit that I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper bag.
I still wouldn't take any shit from a work colleague though.

[brewerb]

Egads, Edible Crust has become a ghost.

grrrrrrr.....

[Edible crust]

Egads, Edible Crust has become a ghost.

grrrrrrr.....

Trying to find a decent garden pic.

[Edible crust]

I could have a picture of my dog as an avatar but I'd need to check if it's on Dexta's list of dangerous dogs before proceeding.

[Inkubus]

I could have a picture of my dog as an avatar but I'd need to check if it's on Dexta's list of dangerous dogs before proceeding.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I could have a picture of my dog as an avatar but I'd need to check if it's on Dexta's list of dangerous dogs before proceeding.

It was you who stole my badge!

[Jarsa]

It's not really the psychopaths fault. For example, pedophiles aren't immoral by definition, unless they act on it. The thing is, they were both born with defective brains that cause them to want to do bad things. At least the pedophile can recognize that his desires are immoral and take medication or therapy. But as far as I know, there isn't anything that makes psychopaths feel empathy.

[brewerb]

It's not really the psychopaths fault. For example, pedophiles aren't immoral by definition, unless they act on it. The thing is, they were both born with defective brains that cause them to want to do bad things. At least the pedophile can recognize that his desires are immoral and take medication or therapy. But as far as I know, there isn't anything that makes psychopaths feel empathy.

Don't discount the effects of enviornment, defective brains can be made.

[Jarsa]

Don't discount the effects of enviornment, defective brains can be made.

Sure, but the point is that it's not the psychopaths fault, so feeling sorry for them isn't bad.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Don't discount the effects of enviornment, defective brains can be made.

Sure, but the point is that it's not the psychopaths fault, so feeling sorry for them isn't bad.

I don't think empathy is about feeling sorry for someone. I think it's about trying to understand their situation. Unlike pity, it's an imperfect process rather than a plain feeling, to my mind.

[brewerb]

Don't discount the effects of enviornment, defective brains can be made.

Sure, but the point is that it's not the psychopaths fault, so feeling sorry for them isn't bad.

Don't know about you but I'm not going to feel sorry for Trump.

[Reltzik]

First of all, I'd suggest drawing a distinction between sympathy and empathy.

Empathy is about comprehending someone's emotional state and headspace, about understanding them well enough to grasp what they're going through and why they act as they do. It does not necessarily entail pity, or approval, or identifying with them, or wanting good for them. It's just about comprehension. If you're forced to deal with the worst person on Earth, that's still a useful skill, if for no other reason than because it might help you navigate around their bullshit.

Sympathy is the one where your heart goes out to them, where you feel sorry for them, and where you want to support them.

I'm pretty sure you're asking about sympathy, so I'll go with that one.

Emotions are not in and of themselves wrong. Feeling sympathy for someone who does not deserve it is not a moral failing. Thought crimes aren't a thing.

The main factor will be how you act on what you are or aren't feeling. Punching them in the face for no other reason than because they're a psychopath, or because they said some mean things? Bad. Supporting them and defending them even as they make other people miserable? Also bad. Regardless of whether you feel sympathy for them or not.

Figure out what lines there are that you might cross, and under what conditions you should and shouldn't cross them. Outside of some very narrow cases, your answers to these questions shouldn't depend much upon your feelings.