In the world of sociology we often discuss whether humans have natural behavioral drives, inner impulses that compel us to act in one way or another. Most sociologists lean toward the “our innate drives have largely been socialized out of us” camp, claiming that we are who we are because of our socialization. Others on the sociological team remain open to the role of those impulses that emerged as we started to come of age as homo sapiens. Either way, surely you hear people making off-the-cuff comments about the human nature of us two-leggeds: “Humans are essentially agressive” (or “competitive” or “sinful” or…). Here’s an interesting take on the issue and one that draws on some recent research into human nature. It’s ten minutes long but very entertaining and worth watching. As you’re watching, think about this question: If you truly accepted what the man is saying, how might you change the way you live?
Empathy Might Be Our Natural Drive
101 responses to “Empathy Might Be Our Natural Drive”
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I agree with what he said about empathy. Empathy is what allows us to feel for one another. Empathy lets us relate to one another. It allows us to be caring and loving with each other. It seems to me like the world like the media is attempting to change our cognitive way of thinking. The world promotes me, myself, and I. which is pretty much the opposite of empathy. People who commit horrific crimes like multiple rapes, sexual assaults, murder, have said they don’t feel for their victim, Its almost is if they are simple scratching there leg. They have no sense of I’m hurting someone maybe I should stop. Even kids who kill and torture animals have the same weird thinking. They are usually the ones who become serial killers or rapist anyways. God put sympathy in us. I think he put it in us to keep us grounded and so we never leave another human or living thing behind, so we would help each other when we saw something burdening one another. I think people that are the coldest or even most evil or those who simple don’t care about other people. They do not have a sense of compassion. They live there life only perusing their own goals and ambitions. That’s actually pretty evil if you think about it. We all should love and care for one another. We should treat others with the same care and love we want them to treat us with. We should feel something inside when we see someone on the street sitting on the sidewalk crying. And I think most of us do. However, the media is attempting to change us and turn us apathetic towards each other. And the man in the video said he didn’t know whether dogs have sympathy. I think dogs do because I saw this video of a dog that got hit by a car on the highway and just laid motionless there. No cars stopped. The dog was literally lying down motionless in the middle of a busy high way. Then out of nowhere another dog appeared and pulled the injured dog to safety. That was an amazing video. I think that proves dogs do have sympathy. At least that dog does.