Is it possible to each empathy to a society or culture that already lacks it?

Question

For instance, I often think about turmoil around the world. The lack of value for human life. The hatred and fear of people who are different than you.

I think about teaching my son empathy all the time. But I often wonder if it's too late to teach empathy to others who have none. I know these things take generations to change.

If you think it's possible, tell me why.

If not, tell me why.

Answer

Most people yes. Certain biggly politicians no. I don't want to name names, but a particular tiny handed world leader has way to yuge of an ego for empathy to develop.

Also fuck this Glow update. My comment posted 3 separate times while I was typing. 😐

Answer

You can teach it to your child, but you need to be sure to exemplify it too. If you're in the US, we are bombarded with images and examples of apathy, ambivalence and down right just lacks of humanity on a regular basis. It's on our news, social media, tv, radio... everywhere. So it slowly gets engrained in our minds to not care about the next person and "this is how the world is ".  Got a little babbly, but it can be done with active and cognizant efforts.

Answer

Some people are a lost cause. Others can change and realize the error of their ways. It depends on if the person is willing to change

Answer

My BIL published a paper that somewhat relates to this. In basic terms, he studied the impact on people who grew up in war zones vrs people who were born during a peaceful time and then during their life were exposed to the front lines of war. For those who grew up with it many had the expectation of danger and the impact was perceived as less traumatic. They expected murder around them the way some people expect bad weather in the forecast. I think empathy can be taught but your circumstances really form how much empathy you are capable of.

I think people who are born into a certain set of ideology can have a very difficult time separating themselves and may not see any good reason to change

Answer

I look at it this way, the world is a balance of people having self preservation and empathy. You don't want to raise a child to have too much of either anymore than you would want your world to be too much of either.

Answer

I don't think you can teach personality traits. Either someone is born naturally empathetic or they aren't.

Answer

You can't teach a society or a culture. You can teach a person. Just is what it is.

Answer

Empathy requires parties to be open to one another. So essentially you can't 'teach' empathy to someone that doesn't want to be open.
That being said people are designed to empathise with other living breathing people. So essentially it can happen on a face to face basis. For example, most people that want all borders shut down won't empathise with refugees in the abstract. But they actually will with a particular person just sharing his/her story. If that is on TV or in a book then it is possible to empathise with that person. However for people that don't want to be open this won't help. But meeting in the flesh, it is very hard to remain closed because social interaction demands some openness and once that crack appears, people find themselves empathising with the person.
So you can't teach empathy basically. But by exposing ourselves and others to diverse people and backgrounds we do experience empathy - unless we actively decide to shut out the other person.

Answer

I think in general, the world has progressed in empathy and humanitarian concern. I think it is everyone's job to model empathy in our every day lives. I think it is a parent's job to teach empathy to their children. So, I do think cultures and societies can become more empathetic overtime. However, I do not think we will ever come near to achieving this globally.

Answer

I show empathy because I'm a human being and I have that in me not because that particular person/ culture needs it.

Is it possible to each empathy to a society or culture that already lacks it?

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