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Yakk · 10-03-2005, 01:08 PM

Kelly, you can learn.

As noted above, you do not need to understand someone in order to be sympathetic. All you need to do is emphasize.

Start understanding that they are another person and they exist at the center of their own universe. Create a model of them in your head, and attribute to the model emotions. Feel the emotions. Know that the model of them is not them, but it is a tool.

Refine the model to match what they express and work out what emotions may be running through them, and make your model of them feel those emotions. Because the model exists within your head, you can feel the emotions that you see expressed by them.

Voila, Empathy. Empathy leads to sympathy.

Remember: the goal of the model is not to duplicate their thought processes. The goal of the model is to duplicate their emotional responses, but in your head where you can feel them.

10-03-2005, 01:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	Kelly, you can learn. As noted above, you do not need to understand someone in order to be sympathetic. All you need to do is emphasize. Start understanding that they are another person and they exist at the center of their own universe. Create a model of them in your head, and attribute to the model emotions. Feel the emotions. Know that the model of them is not them, but it is a tool. Refine the model to match what they express and work out what emotions may be running through them, and make your model of them feel those emotions. Because the model exists within your head, you can feel the emotions that you see expressed by them. Voila, Empathy. Empathy leads to sympathy. Remember: the goal of the model is not to duplicate their thought processes. The goal of the model is to duplicate their emotional responses, but in your head where you can feel them. __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.