9. Mrunal Ethics (E3:P2): Foundational Values: Empathy, Compassion

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25/10/15, 124Mrunal Ethics (E3/P2): Foundational Values: Empathy, Compassion

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[Ethics] E3/P2: Foundation Values-Empathy & Compassion towardthe Weak + Case studies & Descriptive Questions

Posted ByMrunalOn 09/10/2015 @ 10:00 pm In Ethics | 30 Comments

1. E3/P2: Video Lecture by Kavan Limbasiya (Rank-198/UPSC-14)

2. Value#4: Empathy

1. Why do we need empathy?

2. Empathy in Western Society?

3. Lack of empathy leads to

4. Can we cultivate empathy?

5. Value#5: Compassion towards weaker section

3. How to inculcate Compassion?

1. Case study #1: Marry the rapist for Childs future?

2. Case Study #2: right aptitude for NGO-giri?3. Descriptive Questions

E3/P2: Video Lecture by Kavan Limbasiya (Rank-198/UPSC-14)

In the first part (E3/P1), we looked at aptitude, integrity and objectivity. Now moving to other importa

foundational values viz. Empathy and Compassion
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Youtube Video Link:https://youtu.be/1QkpnIBsIUM

Value#4: Empathy

Man is a rational animal, said Aristotle.

Then man must arrive at decision after evaluating all pros and cons. In Western society this is

evident.

But according to some, man is a social animal, an emotional animal.

He is Homoe empathicus. He takes decisions with emotions.

Empathy is all about emotions:

What is the difference?

SympathyYour belief and Cognitive aspects. If youre rich and youve sympathy towards the poor

Then youd know factually- what is meant by poverty?

Empathy

Has both cognitive and emotional aspects.

You succeed in UPSC after 3-4 attempts, then next time you meet a fresher who

has failed in prelims- You feel the emotion of other person -thats empathy.
https://youtu.be/1QkpnIBsIUMhttps://youtu.be/1QkpnIBsIUM


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Empathy is stronger attitude than sympathy, hence its better indicator of behavior

Empathy is the one of the many bases of pro-social behavior and altruism. (if I

give money in charity, to save taxes, then tax-planning is my base for altruism.)

Altruism

Doing good things selflessly, for the well-being of others. It is about action.

You recovered from cancer, and feel pain for other cancer patients, that is

empathy.

Subsequently, if you build a charitable cancer-hospital, that is altruism.

Compassion

Its a form of sympathy. But stronger than empathy.

Strength wise: sympathy


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believe man is a rational animal.

Objectivity and empathy are at times in contradiction. E.g. In doctor will have to give you

injection (short term pain), to cure your disease (long term peace.) But, if a doctor is too

empathetic, his hands will shake while giving injection.

Empathy is targeted towards individual, while objectivity looks @masses. So if judge gives mor

weightage to empathy over objectivity, he may give lenient punishment to a criminal. In long

run itll hurt the masses.Syrian refugees have been flooding Turkey and EU since many months, but only after a child

(Aylan Kurdi)is drowned and images appear in main-stream media, all EU nations have became

attentive. Because empathy of people towards an individual child.

Killing of thousand people is worst than killing one. But if youre empathetic to that one, you

may loose sight of the objectivity. Therefore, in western society / Nolan committee have sideline

empathy.

Lack of empathy leads to

1. Bullying, ragging, stalking.2. Intolerance, lack of compassion towards animals, environment, poor, minorities, women and

children

3. With rise of Social media and internet, empathy levels have declined. Because you are not

physically seeing the other person, so you cant feel his body language, gestures, tone of voice e

4. Its difficult to abuse a person in real life- because its awkward. But very easy on anonymous

online groups and forums.

5. Monika Lewinsky considers herself the first victim of cyber-bulling. See her TED-talk if youve tim

Can we cultivate empathy?

1. Empathetic officers are the need of hour in modern day administration targeted towards inclusive

growth.

2. Art, literature, cinema- they help us inculcate empathy. E.g. Satyajit Rays Pather Panchali

realistically portrays the poverty and rural India.

3. Common Holiday- Eid, Diwali- people of all religion are given public holidays on these events.

should encourage them to participate in each others festivals.

4. Right to education Act provides 25% reservation to children from economically weaker section

the schools. So rich and poor will interact with each other and cultivate empathy for each other.

5. Encourage Perspective talking, role playing games, put yourself in the shoes of other people.

Value#5: Compassion towards weaker section

1. Base of compassion is empathy.

2. Were a divided society- wealthwise, castewise, religionwise.

3. We believe in law of Karma, so if a person is poor or physically disabled, we believe it is the

result of his own karma. Hence compassion required.
https://www.ted.com/talks/monica_lewinsky_the_price_of_shame/transcript?language=enhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/02/shocking-image-of-drowned-syrian-boy-shows-tragic-plight-of-refugees


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How to inculcate Compassion?

1. Teaching the four noble truths from Buddhism.

2. Loving-kindness meditation youve to think good things about ..

a. People you respect and love.

b. Your beloved persons within family and friend-circle.

c. People for whom youve no love or hatred (neutral people.) e.g. Pan-walla, Chai-walla.d. People you hate.

3. Above exercise will increase your compassion towards others. Now how to measure it? Ans.

Zurich Prosocial Game.

4. Visit slums, old age home.

5. IAS probationers are sent to Bharat Darshan for similar reason- to understand the diversity of

India and grow compassion towards others.

Case study #1: Marry the rapist for Childs future?

In June 2015, Madras High Court Judge P. Devadass let a convicted rapist out of prison on bail so hecould mediate with his victim and heal their rift. The Judge observed following

victim has become mother of a child, But as on date, she is nobodys wife. So, she is an unwed

mother. Now there is a big question mark looming large before [the victim] as well as her child,

who is completely innocent.

Therefore, mediation was the best option in this case, noting that he had recommended it on

another occasion earlier this year, with the rapist agreeing to marry the victim, a case now headin

toward a happy conclusion.

Answer following:

1. Mediation is normally used to resolve marital or commercial disputes. To what extend can it be

used in violent crimes?

2. In the cases where a child is borne out of rape, what should be the primary objective of the

judiciary- (A) punishment for the rapist or (B) compassion for the child? And why?

Case Study #2: right aptitude for NGO-giri?

Youre running an NGO for the street children. Youve given a recruitment advertisement in the local

newspaper for the post of a Coordinator in your NGO. Following people turn up: Who among themwill you chose for the job? and why?

Candidate Specialty

Zafar

Says he spent all of his childhood working at a highway dhaba, where he mixed up with

wrong company of friends and began petty theft, smuggling and substance abuse. He was

sent to juvenile home, but an NGO helped him in rehabilitation process, he managed to


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Supari complete graduation. At present he is working as a chai-walla in a call center but unlike

Dev Patel, he couldnt reach Kaun Banegaa Crorepati therefore as Career backup Plan-B

he wants to join NGO to help others.

Kashi

Trivedi

Says he has been associated with local political unit for a decade. He is fedup with politic

but wants to continue social service. He cites his experience in how to deal with petty-

bureaucrats and similar political elements as his plus point. He also claims to have

contacts in the state secretariat to get your NGO more funding for projects for street-children.

Samar

Singh

Retired IPS officer. Says he knows the drug abuse, child-trafficking, forced-begging,

prostitution and associated network. He can help rescuing street-kids trapped in such

things and rehabilitate them. He too promises to have contacts in state secretariat go get

more funds released for your NGO.

Shanaya

Singhania

Recently completed MBA from a premiere institution. Her father is a multi-millionaire

hotel-tycoon, but shes compassionate towards the plight of the poor since her childhood

and wants to do something to help them. She says she can get celebrities for various

activities of your NGO, thereby increase your media exposure and donations flow.

Descriptive Questions

1. To walk among the kings and not lose the common touch- is a kind attitude required from the

civil servants. Elaborate.

2. I call him religious who understands the suffering of others- Gandhi. Discuss.

3. Differentiate between following terms: compassion, empathy, sympathy, and discuss their

importance in public services.

4. Discuss the importance of cinema in inculcating values of empathy and compassion. Suggest thr

movies that should be included in the syllabus of school, college and civil service training syllab

respectively.

5. Examine the factors behind nuisance of ragging in India colleges. What should be done to chang

the attitude of seniors towards juniors?

6. Do you agree with following statements? Yes / No and WHY?

a. In the present day materialistic society with cut-throat competition, it is impractical for an

individual to develop empathy towards others. It is the responsibility of the state to look

after the weak and the desolate.

b. There is no correlation between suffering, empathy and good behavior. India has many

politicians who started life in abject-poverty, and amassed wealth by robbing the poor-stra

during their political career.c. Empathy is a virtue, but it should not be a guiding judicial principle.

In the next part (E3/P3) well look at the last set of foundation values for civil service viz. neutrality an

non-partisanship.

Visit Mrunal.org/Ethicsfor more study material on Ethics.

Article printed from Mrunal:http://mrunal.org
http://mrunal.org/ethics

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9. Mrunal Ethics (E3:P2): Foundational Values: Empathy, Compassion