[[SolSeed]] < [[SolSeedMovement]] < [[SolSeedCreed]] < [[Empathy]]
See also: [[Sign for Empathy]]
From the [[SolSeedCreed]]
<i>
: [[Empathy]] is transcendent.
: Without [[Empathy]],
:: [[SelfLove]] and [[Wisdom]] are evil!
</i>
[[Empathy]] is the identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings and motives.
Like [[SelfLove]] and [[Wisdom]], [[Empathy]] is a fundamental attribute of human nature. While [[SelfLove]] ultimately motivates all action, [[Empathy]] allows us to direct [[SelfLove]] toward action that benefits the collective. [[Empathy]] allows us to understand and value others --- it is via [[Empathy]] that we transcend self. Culture and society spring from [[Empathy]]. Without [[Empathy]] the deep understanding and trust so necessary for collective action cannot exist. It is [[Empathy]] that spurs us to value the needs of others and consider how our actions might impact them.
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Ward pointed out an interesting article in Science that indicates empathy goes at least as deep as new world monkeys. Check out [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/317/5843/1402 The Perception of Rational, Goal-Directed Action in Nonhuman Primates]. I especially appreciated this quote interpreting their results "Thus, action perception must also consist of a mechanism that evaluates action means in relation to goals, and places this analysis into a broader context that entails constraints imposed by the current environmental situation". Basically the monkeys were answering the question, "If I were them, why would I have done what they just did?" 08:42, 25 September 2007 (PDT)
: I just found a very accessible and well written [http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/archive/2005fallwinter/FallWinter0506_deWaal.pdf article on empathy]. I highly recommend it! 03:13, 18 March 2008 (PDT)
http://thesciencenetwork.org/BeyondBelief/reading/, an excellent reading list
One difficulty (pointed out in the outrospection video above) is to Empathize across space and time (people in the developing world, future generations).
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