Try to prove to me your religion.

[Shadow Wolf]

Absolutely... and I sincerely apologize if my post came across as offensive. It was not meant as such, but I should have used more inclusive phrasing than "sociopaths."

Sorry, I didn't intend to come across as offended. It's more of a frustration over the assumption that everyone who isn't a psychopath has empathy, which very typically extends to a requirement of empathy to be a good person, which just is not the case for the vast majority of those who lack empathy or are empathy impaired. It helps to not have it if you're going to be a serial killer, but it's rare for that to happen.

It takes a concerted and disciplined effort for others to act as effectively.

It tends to come easier for Aspies because we have an inborn predisposition to think logically over emotionally. Of course we can also have some very strong feelings and emotions (rage isn't uncommon), and be very compassionate towards are interests and people who are close to us, but for the most part we tend to be grounded in logic and searching for facts and information rather than considering emotional needs and concerns (rationalizing emotional issues away is pretty common).
Dr. Brennan from Bones is actually a pretty good example of typical Aspie traits and thinking.

 

[Kartari]

Hi Shadow Wolf.

Sorry, I didn't intend to come across as offended. It's more of a frustration over the assumption that everyone who isn't a psychopath has empathy, which very typically extends to a requirement of empathy to be a good person, which just is not the case for the vast majority of those who lack empathy or are empathy impaired. It helps to not have it if you're going to be a serial killer, but it's rare for that to happen. It tends to come easier for Aspies because we have an inborn predisposition to think logically over emotionally. Of course we can also have some very strong feelings and emotions (rage isn't uncommon), and be very compassionate towards are interests and people who are close to us, but for the most part we tend to be grounded in logic and searching for facts and information rather than considering emotional needs and concerns (rationalizing emotional issues away is pretty common).
Dr. Brennan from Bones is actually a pretty good example of typical Aspie traits and thinking.

No worries. Truth be told, I can relate a bit. While I do feel empathy, I have been made aware that I miss emotional cues that are more apparent to others. And in the moment when emergencies are actually occurring, I definitely retain a calm, logical, and non-reactive mindset and can act with clearheaded efficiency. Even to the chagrin and chastisement of others who react more emotionally, in my personal experience. I tend to emotionally stress more when there is time to think about things, before or after an event... it's like a switch flips automatically in my head.

 

[Muffled]

Hi Muffled,



Except sociopaths perhaps, everyone has empathy in their nature. Whether that translates into active compassion or not is another matter, but the seed for compassion is universally there in all of us.

Empathy can be demonstrated as a universally human quality. How many people do not instinctively cringe and show distress when they first see, for instance, a child being harmed? Whether an individual does something about it, and what they do more precisely, are other matters. But empathy is universally present nonetheless. It therefore goes against human nature to not be compassionate.

I believe then that it is not universal but you may have a case for it being natural although I tend to think you are viewing this subjectively. The abortionists can kill a child and think nothing of it. That doesn't seem natural but evidently humans have a tendency to ignore what is natural and exchange it for the unnatural.

 

[Unfathomable Tao]

I believe then that it is not universal but you may have a case for it being natural although I tend to think you are viewing this subjectively. The abortionists can kill a child and think nothing of it. That doesn't seem natural but evidently humans have a tendency to ignore what is natural and exchange it for the unnatural.

On what grounds are you defining a fetus as a child, and defining natural?

 

[Kartari]

Hi Muffled,

I believe then that it is not universal but you may have a case for it being natural although I tend to think you are viewing this subjectively. The abortionists can kill a child and think nothing of it. That doesn't seem natural but evidently humans have a tendency to ignore what is natural and exchange it for the unnatural.

A universal value is one which appeals to all. Since it is natural for nearly all humans to feel empathy (and even those who have hindrances to empathy can still be compassionate via logic), the roots of compassion lie within us and, therefore, compassion is a universal value. This can be objectively shown to be true.

Regarding abortions more specifically, you are mischaracterizing the scenario. While I personally am against abortion past the 8 or 9 week mark (when the nervous system begins to develop and the fetus can begin to feel pain), I do not think it's an easy choice at all for probably nearly all women who have them. I expect women are emotionally torn apart by such a decision. Nor do I believe most doctors who perform them to be apathetic monsters. It's a matter of enabling women to choose the lesser of two evils.

To address the topic of why we might have the seeds of compassion within us yet still do things antithetical to that, I think that comes down to a matter of perceptions and delusions. Few villains see themselves as the bad guys. Adolf Hitler probably cared for Eva Braun and his dog. While humans universally and naturally possess empathy, we can short circuit our nature with greed, hatred, and delusion.

 

[VioletVortex]

I have no need to prove to anyone that my philosophy is true. However, it sounds kind of fun. Speaking from a strictly philosophical standpoint, I personally do not understand how one can avoid following the Left Hand Path. I see than many have been convinced or have convinced themselves otherwise, but I don't see a reason to submit to causeless authority.

Speaking from a theistic standpoint, consciousness is proof of a spiritual force. Consciousness is a greater entity. It can't be explained by science. Consciousness is spiritual in nature. There is no way I can easily explain to anyone why the entity that I believe in is Satanic in nature. Essentially, I believe that consciousness is here to be indulged in, and that we should indulge in everything we want to. I think Satan "intended" for it to be that way, otherwise, he would not have created consciousness in the first place.

However, I can't prove it to you. I haven't even completely prooved it to myself. I can prove to you that my philosophical beliefs are correct, and that's what I just did, but I can't prove the existence of Satan to anyone, including myself. I'm always very skeptical. It's a belief, not knowledge.