[SolSeed](/SolSeed) < [SolSeedMovement](/SolSeedMovement) < [SolSeedCreed](/SolSeedCreed) < [Empathy](/Empathy)
See also: [Sign for Empathy](/Sign_for_Empathy)
From the [SolSeedCreed](/SolSeedCreed)
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[Empathy](/Empathy) is transcendent.
Without [Empathy](/Empathy),
[SelfLove](/SelfLove) and [Wisdom](/Wisdom) are evil!
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[Empathy](/Empathy) is the identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings and motives.
Like [SelfLove](/SelfLove) and [Wisdom](/Wisdom), [Empathy](/Empathy) is a fundamental attribute of human nature. While [SelfLove](/SelfLove) ultimately motivates all action, [Empathy](/Empathy) allows us to direct [SelfLove](/SelfLove) toward action that benefits the collective. [Empathy](/Empathy) allows us to understand and value others --- it is via [Empathy](/Empathy) that we transcend self. Culture and society spring from [Empathy](/Empathy). Without [Empathy](/Empathy) the deep understanding and trust so necessary for collective action cannot exist. It is [Empathy](/Empathy) that spurs us to value the needs of others and consider how our actions might impact them.
[Archived YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc7g)
[Archived YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG46IwVfSu8)
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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 [The Perception of Rational, Goal-Directed Action in Nonhuman Primates](http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/317/5843/1402). 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 [article on empathy](http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/archive/2005fallwinter/FallWinter0506_deWaal.pdf). 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).
[SolSeed](/Category:SolSeed)
[SolSeedMovement](/Category:SolSeedMovement)
[SolSeedVirtues](/Category:SolSeedVirtues)