Time and time again, I have called for greater inclusion and a show of empathy when assisting individuals who are targeted or who have fallen victim to a financial scam. Empathy is a key factor in helping them recover, in experiencing their pain, and establishing a bond of trust. So where can we begin this recovery of empathy?
The word empathy comes from the Greek word, pathos, meaning feeling, suffering, or emotion, with the Greek prefix en meaning in or into. As such, empathy literally means feeling into another person's experience. However, it should not be confused with sympathy, which is more about sharing concern or compassion for a person. Empathy is understood as entering into another person's perspective.
In a recent article in The Atlantic, titled, “What I Learned About Billionaires at Jeff Bezos’s Private Retreat,” by Noel Hawley, creator of the FX series Fargo and Alien: Earth, Hawley discusses the demise of empathy, saying, “Since the 2024 election, there has been a philosophical shift on the right, and especially among tech billionaires, to vilify the idea of empathy. Musk has called empathy “the fundamental weakness of Western civilization.” He sees it as a weapon wielded by liberal society to bludgeon otherwise rational people into operating against their own interests. Empathy is something done to you by others—a vulnerability they exploit, a back door through which they gain access to your resources and will. This rejection of empathy as a human value gives cover to people who don’t want to feel anything at all.”
Hearing this, I begin to question whether a rejection of empathy has more to do with accomplishing an agenda associated more with political gain and business objectives, rather than an avoidance of feelings? Consider the end results. Since understanding another person's perspective can make it easier to find common ground even when there are disagreements, empathy can reduce hostility and misunderstanding. When people feel understood, trust tends to grow. Empathy promotes inclusion, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. Our towns and neighborhoods often function better when people consider how their actions affect others. Think of how different it might be if many of today’s leaders understood and felt the experiences of those impacted by their decisions, and how much more effective they could become in identifying problems, addressing concerns, and building trust.
Instead, today’s widespread erosion of empathy continues to contribute to social fragmentation and weaker community bonds. Its demise is increasing polarization between groups and fueling a greater tolerance for the unfair treatment of others. When empathy diminishes, misunderstandings, isolation, and conflict often become more common.
I say it’s time people of goodwill embrace the notion of showing empathy, thereby enhancing an ability to recognize each other's humanity. As we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let’s be cognizant about the many ways we might show empathy to others – especially those who have fallen victim to financial exploitation.
Will our stance be one of weakness, refusing to respond, denying our own personal values out of fear or peer pressure? Or will we rise-up? Will we find the courage to embrace our humanity by recognizing and appreciating what the experience of the other person is like from their point of view?
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