X-Message-Number: 17073
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 18:01:03 -0700
From: Kennita Watson <>
Subject: Selfishness; sympathy vs. empathy

Lee Corbin wrote:

> Suppose that we believe that it is not ethical to cheat someone (even if
> they don't know that it happened to them and no one knows that we did it).
>  I agree that a big component of the anti-cheating meme in our ethical
> system still arose from self-interest.  But, in general, doesn't a small
> component also arise from a genuine and direct feeling of compassion or
> sympathy for the swindled?

Actually, I think a large part arises from a feeling whose existence
is still bound up in my self-interest:  empathy.  "I feel your pain"
has been turned into a joke, but when I see someone hit their finger 
with a hammer, I flinch and say "ow!".  Likewise, when faced with the
choice of cheating someone, I let "How would I feel if I found out 
someone had done that to *me*?" factor heavily into my emotional
equation.

At least part of the reason I don't hurt other people is because it 
hurts them/me, and least part of the reason I help other people is 
because it makes them/me feel good.
-- 
May you live long and prosper,
Kennita
--
Kennita Watson          | Way Cool Internet Radio: http://www.live365.com
     |      
http://www.kennita.com  |    I eschew arthropods -- so don't bug me!

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