Crossposted.

[thefumoffu]

Why are we creatures so addicted to empathy? Why do we feel the need to affirm that our thoughts, philosophies, and emotions are universally felt? That we are not the only one in the myriad we call the human experience? Is it to connect our conciousness to reality, to test that we actually do exist, and to confirm that our mind has not failed us?

Comments

[kixies]

Empathy. I have never really thought of humans as addicted to empathy. "Empathy is the capacity to think and feel oneself into the inner life of another person" (Heinz Kohut). Not everyone cares about the feelings of others. But I do believe that without a bit of empathy, you aren't human. Unless you do mean that we are addicted to people being empathetic to us. To feel what we feel.

As for the need to affirm your thoughts, etc. I would think it's to make sure that what you are thinking is logical, or reasonable. I suppose that would be to confirm that your mind has not failed you. To be totally different would be difficult. No one would understand you, but yourself. In that, some people go insane due to the lack of understanding from others.

In that sense, it also brings up the question of why some people may be addicted to love. I think love is the feeling that someone understands you for who you are and is willing to hear your thoughts. Would that be empathy also?

[thefumoffu]

Err ya, by being addicted to empathy I meant empathy towards us, but I suppose either way works.
I definitely agree with that whole affirming your rationality thing, but is that only real reason? (Besides the whole, not feeling lonely part I suppose haha)
And perhaps love is the same way, and that love is indeed like empathy, except with the added need to reciprocate. Who knows XD