Dialectic reasoning in philosophical reasoning contrasts two views that lead to a new level of thought.
Try these:
The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.—Elon Musk
The death of human empathy is one of the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism.—Hannah Arendt
I tutored a fellow student in German in the university so that he could graduate and accept a good job back home. He did. His wife gave me a big, grateful hug. I was happy for him.
During a session we discussed the two professors of German at the university (it was one of the many small, quality Liberal Arts universities that Ohio is known for—Ohio Northern), I remarked about how one came from Vienna and wound up in small Ada, Ohio. “I don’t care,” he replied. And he didn’t. He lacked empathy.
I’ve met many since then who have an emotional gap where empathy should have been living.
Have you? Or are you missing that emotion?
Empathy doesn’t mean agreeing with. It’s sort of feeling with. When you meet someone, you can feel what they feel in the sense of understanding where they are coming from.
Looking at my guide, Jesus seemed always to find that empathy toward everyone he met. Then he knew how to interact with each individual person. He could be kind and understanding; he could point out flaws in thinking or living without any obnoxious arguing; he could guide people into a better and deeper understanding.
We would be wise to emulate him.
Faith Venture 