Empathy

[Vertigo Swirl]

I’d be happier if the empathy was spread a little more evenly.

Tell us about your empathy for the McCanns.

[jassi]

I’d be happier if the empathy was spread a little more evenly.

But surely it must be applied selectively otherwise being full on empathetic with everyone  over everything would be exhausting.

[faithlilly]

But surely it must be applied selectively otherwise being full on empathetic with everyone  over everything would be exhausting.

Being a pinko I think all empathetic thoughts towards an individual should cease when they earn more than £50000 ;0)

[Brietta]

It's to be hoped that those seeking revenge have read the other person's intentions correctly. If they get it wrong it's not revenge it's undeserved aggression.

Revenge is defined as the act of committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenge#Social_psychology

In my opinion your post exemplifies "empathy" as many have implemented it's application to the family of a missing child.

I wonder why, in relation to your post defining the commission of harmful action in response to the many grievances and slights Amaral quotes himself as having suffered, what he was avenging himself against when traducing innocent people.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Being a pinko I think all empathetic thoughts towards an individual should cease when they earn more than £50000 ;0)

Actually that totally chimes with my theory that many have no empathy for the McCanns partly because they are well off and middle class and instead enjoy the fact thst they messed up big time.  Schadenfreude.  Serves them right for getting ideas above their station, not knowing their place etc

[G-Unit]

The reason for feeling empathy for one has been stated clearly in the opening post.  The reason for empathising with the other has not been stated.
I have asked the thread originator the question, perhaps you will be kind enough to await her reply as I shall.

I wrote "feeling all three types of empathy for the McCanns is fairly easy if you accept the facts as they describe them." I didn't give a specific reason for empathising with Amaral, but I think it's obvious he must have suffered for making it clear that he did not accept the facts as descibed by the McCanns.

[Brietta]

You seem to be saying empathy has to be earned?

No I didn't say that.

I asked you "Why do you think Goncalo Amaral merits empathy in the situation you have described?" in your opening post. Or to put it in a different way ~
Why do you think Goncalo Amaral merits empathy for writing a book describing a theory he was never able to prove in practice the foundation for which was proved wrong by the Policia Judiciaria and Portuguese prosecutors.

[Brietta]

I wrote "feeling all three types of empathy for the McCanns is fairly easy if you accept the facts as they describe them." I didn't give a specific reason for empathising with Amaral, but I think it's obvious he must have suffered for making it clear that he did not accept the facts as descibed by the McCanns.

Yes I noted that libel just as I note the rest of the libel in your post.

[G-Unit]

I think you make a good point Kizzy...should any of our characters be judged on this single issue?

That's the point I was hoping to make, really.

[G-Unit]

The thing that gets me about the case (right from day one before anyone considered the parents faked an abduction) is the absolute hate and vilification these people received online.   It’s what sucked me into the case in the early days - I was just aghast about how horribly judgemental people were being and how completely lacking in any empathy for the parents whatsoever.  I honestly couldn’t believe what I was reading.  What does that say about the sort of person I am?

You also judged. You judged the McCanns to be truthful and believable, did you not? Otherwise why be aghast at other's lack of empathy?

[G-Unit]

No I didn't say that.

I asked you "Why do you think Goncalo Amaral merits empathy in the situation you have described?" in your opening post. Or to put it in a different way ~
Why do you think Goncalo Amaral merits empathy for writing a book describing a theory he was never able to prove in practice the foundation for which was proved wrong by the Policia Judiciaria and Portuguese prosecutors.

I thought empathy involved understanding another's feelings even if one doesn't share them? So empathising with Amaral's feelings is possible no matter why he has them or whether one shares them.

[faithlilly]

You also judged. You judged the McCanns to be truthful and believable, did you not? Otherwise why be aghast at other's lack of empathy?

In the beginning I think many of the public were unable to empathise with the parents because they could never see themselves putting their children in such a dangerous situation...it really wasn’t about their truthfulness.

[G-Unit]

Yes I noted that libel just as I note the rest of the libel in your post.

You think that it's libellous to say " if you accept the facts as they describe them." in relation to the McCanns? Have you failed to notice that there are many people online who do not accept the facts as they describe them? Why is it libellous to point that out?

[G-Unit]

Being a pinko I think all empathetic thoughts towards an individual should cease when they earn more than £50000 ;0)

You think money protects people from suffering then? It can't buy love, remember.

[G-Unit]

In the beginning I think many of the public were unable to empathise with the parents because they could never see themselves putting their children in such a dangerous situation...it really wasn’t about their truthfulness.

Yes, the first step is to understand. Difficult to do if you've no similar experience of your own to call on.