How does compassion differ from pity?

How does compassion differ from pity?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

Simply put, compassion is more intimate. Compassion is a lowering of the conceptual barrier between oneself and another, experiencing their suffering as one’s own to some degree. The impulse to relieve that suffering is all the more compelling because it isn’t seen as being someone else’s problem. Pity is a more remote sentiment. The suffering of the other is viewed from a safe distance. One feels insulated from, and uninvolved with the sufferer. If one is moved to action at all, it’s only so as to feel magnanimous.
by

Related questions

Happily single (straight) women: how do you handle other women who make you feel weird or take weird pity on you for not having a boyfriend?

Description : Happily single (straight) women: how do you handle other women who make you feel weird or take weird pity on you for not having a boyfriend?

Last Answer : What a great way to filter all the single women!

Why do people engage in self-pity?

Description : Why do people engage in self-pity?

Last Answer : Self pity requires no personal growth or work. Pulling yourself up and doing something to change the situation is harder. Many people are beat down, not just lazy, its sad.

Is there a financially secure widow whose life you envy or pity and why ?

Description : Is there a financially secure widow whose life you envy or pity and why ?

Last Answer : answer:I'm going to assume the first year doesn't count. Generally that is a time of deep mourning and adjustment, sometimes longer. Although, I once had a client who when her husband died she wanted to ... a very nice life. They seem to handle the loss of their spouse ok after a time of mourning.

When things have to be difficult for a long time, how do you minimize bouts of self-pity and despair and get back on course?

Description : When things have to be difficult for a long time, how do you minimize bouts of self-pity and despair and get back on course?

Last Answer : Go to a VA hospital and check out some of guys with no arms, or legs and a permanent catheter where their dick used to be. I used to work with some of them before they got hurt. They would love the company plus it will put things in a proper perspective.

Do you think a wildebeest knows it's hideously ugly & therefore throws itself at the mercy of a lion out of self pity?

Description : Do you think a wildebeest knows it's hideously ugly & therefore throws itself at the mercy of a lion out of self pity?

Last Answer : answer:The Wildebeest is a flaccid creature with two hearts. Unfortunately, due to a lack of bones, it is completely unsuited to the African Savannah. It would live, far more appropriately in ... hypothesize that this is the wildebeest committing suicide. Others say that I'm totally off my rocker.

What will you do if a child(looks pity) standing at your front door and asking for some money?

Description : What will you do if a child(looks pity) standing at your front door and asking for some money?

Last Answer : At my front door? Sorry, but I’d turn them away.

Do you have a friend you only keep because of pity?

Description : Do you have a friend you only keep because of pity?

Last Answer : definetely not. you can sometimes pity a friend, but never ever be a friend out of pity. that’s just wrong…and where does it get you? or the person you’re “befriending”? nobody gets anything out of a situation like that.

I have a dell inspiron PC running Windows XP (pity me). The laptop is about 1 year old. Today my screen went (almost) totally dark....but the OS didn't crash. Why?

Description : I have a dell inspiron PC running Windows XP (pity me). The laptop is about 1 year old. Today my screen went (almost) totally dark....but the OS didn't crash. Why?

Last Answer : Your display is in need of a tech. I hope you have a warranty.

Who was famous for saying I pity the fool?

Description : Who was famous for saying I pity the fool?

Last Answer : Mr. T as Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team and as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III.

Why does mark Twain pity the doctor?

Description : Why does mark Twain pity the doctor?

Last Answer : What is the answer ?

What is the suffix for pity?

Description : What is the suffix for pity?

Last Answer : Pitying

If student do not understand what is taught in the class the teacher should feel Options: A) terribly bored B) to explain it in different way C) that he is wasting time D) pity for the students

Description : If student do not understand what is taught in the class the teacher should feel Options: A) terribly bored B) to explain it in different way C) that he is wasting time D) pity for the students

Last Answer : B) to explain it in different way

Why do you think the speaker mentions some freedom as ̳transitory‘? (a) The freedom is momentary and keep changing with time. (b) The definition of freedom is constant but perspectives differ. (c) Freedom means different things to different people. (d) Freedom is not that important after a certain age.

Description : Why do you think the speaker mentions some freedom as ̳transitory ? (a) The freedom is momentary and keep changing with time. (b) The definition of freedom is constant but perspectives differ. (c ... means different things to different people. (d) Freedom is not that important after a certain age.

Last Answer : (a) The freedom is momentary and keep changing with time.

Have you ever showed mercy or compassion to an enemy?

Description : Have you ever showed mercy or compassion to an enemy?

Last Answer : No. Wasn’t getting any in return.

What's more important compassion or justice (details inside ) ?

Description : What's more important compassion or justice (details inside ) ?

Last Answer : Justice. Compassion only means that they’ll do it again.

Do you feel any compassion for Dzhokhar?

Description : Do you feel any compassion for Dzhokhar?

Last Answer : I don’t feel compassion for him, but I do feel sorry for him. It’s obvious that he was an extremely gullible and impressionable person, and was basically indoctrinated by his older brother when Dzhokhar was a teenager

Reality compassion check: when was the last time you personally fed a hungry homeless person?

Description : Reality compassion check: when was the last time you personally fed a hungry homeless person?

Last Answer : answer:He’s sitting on the couch playing Wii with my son, right now. Chicken soup today.

What is the difference between mercy and compassion?

Description : What is the difference between mercy and compassion?

Last Answer : answer:Compassion is feeling for someone else’s distress and wanting to alleviate it. Mercy is an act of leniency. I think compassion is more important and that you cannot have mercy without it.

Do you think the world lacks compassion?

Description : Do you think the world lacks compassion?

Last Answer : answer:The “world” doesn’t give a shit about you or anyone else. Individual people have and display compassion based of shared experiences, love, kindness, empathy, etc. Are more or less people compassionate today than before? No idea, but I’m gonna say more because I want to be optimistic today.

Where did the idea that the heart representing compassion and love come from?

Description : Where did the idea that the heart representing compassion and love come from?

Last Answer : Your heart responds physically to strong emotions, thus the presumption that is where they come from.

Compassion and Competition: Would you let your rival win?

Description : Compassion and Competition: Would you let your rival win?

Last Answer : I would most likely go for the trophy. The outcome could very well have an effect on my career and I’d rather continue to do my best. If my career took a downward turn after purposely loosing and cause my family hard times, I’d never forgive myself.

Persons of heavy ethnic descent, how do you feel about halloween and peoples over all lack of compassion towards certain costumes?

Description : Persons of heavy ethnic descent, how do you feel about halloween and peoples over all lack of compassion towards certain costumes?

Last Answer : Doesn’t bother me in the least. Abolish Halloween. Problem solved.

Animal compassion towards their people question. Compared to dogs I'm convinced cats really don't give a frak or at the very least, meh.

Description : Animal compassion towards their people question. Compared to dogs I'm convinced cats really don't give a frak or at the very least, meh.

Last Answer : I didn't know you had back problems. Sorry to hear that. I hope you are feeling better tonight. I love cats and dogs. I guess if I had to pick one over the other it would be a ... cat was trying to communicate telepathically to you and possible heal you but you just aren't enlightened enough yet.

Does Osama Bin Laden deserve compassion?

Description : Does Osama Bin Laden deserve compassion?

Last Answer : Yes. Everybody deserves compassion, after all, nobody is born evil. Bin Laden’s a sorrowful individual, whatever led him to have such strong convictions is truly disheartening.

Would you support the following 'Charter for Compassion' ?

Description : Would you support the following 'Charter for Compassion' ?

Last Answer : No. It promotes religion and that is not something that I can accept. God, Supreme Being, Allah, Buddha, whatever, you can stick up your holy arse, Why? Because you don’t exist. There are followers that will disagree but the main man never makes an appearance. Why? Ask Santa Claus. He knows.

What is happening to human compassion?

Description : What is happening to human compassion?

Last Answer : answer:Nothing – for every story like that, I just think of how when I evacuated from hurricane katrina, I had to turn away help from friends, neighbors, strangers. Human compassion is alive and well. This was just a bad, bad situation.

If a person's skin is too thick, is their compassion for others greater or lesser?

Description : If a person's skin is too thick, is their compassion for others greater or lesser?

Last Answer : answer:You’re apt to not care about things that aren’t important. Sounds like wisdom to me. Now if you see a baby getting eaten by a pit bull and you say “Suck it up baby. Life’s rough” and keep walking, that’s a lack of compassion.

Is it best to treat new acquaintances with compassion or skepticism?

Description : Is it best to treat new acquaintances with compassion or skepticism?

Last Answer : I’d rather live in a state of compassion. I’d rather risk injury than be on my guard all the time.

If not for compassion or punishment, why not be a selfish bastard?

Description : If not for compassion or punishment, why not be a selfish bastard?

Last Answer : Selfrespect. When you have it, all else elavates you. When you don’t, one is mearly content with justifications and imaginings. as in “I have no problem with that…”

Crime or compassion?

Description : Crime or compassion?

Last Answer : If they are in horrible pain, and the pain is endless, I support it.

Do you have compassion for others misfortunes?

Description : Do you have compassion for others misfortunes?

Last Answer : answer:There are people who are the victims of chance, and I have compassion for them. There are people who volunteer for their misfortunes, and I have little compassion or sympathy for them.

How does our body produce this gentle warm feeling in our chest, when we experience emotions like happiness, love, compassion, etc?

Description : How does our body produce this gentle warm feeling in our chest, when we experience emotions like happiness, love, compassion, etc?

Last Answer : there is no scientific explanation for Love, c’mon next thing those scientist will tell me I’m a primortial goo.

What is the expression or sentence contraction of one who has no compassion ?

Description : What is the expression or sentence contraction of one who has no compassion ?

Last Answer : Who has no compassion: ruthless.

What is Compassion ?

Description : What is Compassion ?

Last Answer : Compassion is to consider the happiness, sorrow or joy of others as one's own.

What is the opposite of compassion ?

Description : What is the opposite of compassion ?

Last Answer : The opposite of compassion is ruthless

What is the meaning of human compassion ?

Description : What is the meaning of human compassion ?

Last Answer : Compassion means for people who have compassion.

When have you been overwhelmed with compassion?

Description : When have you been overwhelmed with compassion?

Last Answer : Being compassionate may be one of the human characteristics. I have felt compassionate on very many ocassions. People are also suffering so much in the world. There was this poor family who had a baby girl ... was overcome with sorrow. However I learnt life is too short and we are here for a season.

What is the verb in compassion is good for the giver and the reciver?

Description : What is the verb in compassion is good for the giver and the reciver?

Last Answer : For

In to kill a mockingbird chapter 4 are jemscoutand dill treating the radleys with compassion?

Description : In to kill a mockingbird chapter 4 are jemscoutand dill treating the radleys with compassion?

Last Answer : Need answer

How are compassion and the Golden Rule related according to Karen Armstrong?

Description : How are compassion and the Golden Rule related according to Karen Armstrong?

Last Answer : Feel Free to Answer

Is Compassion the common noun?

Description : Is Compassion the common noun?

Last Answer : yes

What kind of person is showing compassion to a victim of a racial slur?

Description : What kind of person is showing compassion to a victim of a racial slur?

Last Answer : Answer this question…Demetrio, who asks if someone is O.K. after he or she has beensubject to a racial slur

Is Compassion the common noun?

Description : Is Compassion the common noun?

Last Answer : yes

What are the different ways julia shows compassion for the trout?

Description : What are the different ways julia shows compassion for the trout?

Last Answer : 1. CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO SMILE MORE. How many times do we walk into a room and see a majority of the people standing around looking like this boring? They may glance down at their phones or look up ... with shopping bags? Was it as you were entering or exiting school? No matter where it took place,

In which book has Buddha been described as an ocean of wisdom and compassion?

Description : In which book has Buddha been described as an ocean of wisdom and compassion?

Last Answer : Amarakosa

In the 86th amendment to the Constitution in 2002, which of the following was added as a fundamental duty of every citizen of India? a) A parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years b) To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture c) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities, to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women d) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures

Description : In the 86th amendment to the Constitution in 2002, which of the following was added as a fundamental duty of every citizen of India? a) A parent or guardian to provide opportunities for ... the natural environment including forests, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures

Last Answer : a) A parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years

What quality the students like the most in a teacher? Options: A) Idealist philosophy B) Compassion C) Discipline D) Entertaining

Description : What quality the students like the most in a teacher? Options: A) Idealist philosophy B) Compassion C) Discipline D) Entertaining

Last Answer : C) Discipline

What quality the students like the most in a teacher? (A) Idealist philosophy (B) Compassion (C) Discipline (D) Entertaining

Description : What quality the students like the most in a teacher? (A) Idealist philosophy (B) Compassion (C) Discipline (D) Entertaining

Last Answer : (B) Compassion