Assuming we are reading the thoughts of another empathic person--we would read their sense of commonality, mutual self interest, and so forth. And they reading ours simultaneously...it ought to heighten the crest of compassion. If we are reading the thoughts of a creatin, and that is reading ours, well...to some degree our supposition of telepathy somewhat includes empathy, doesn't it. How could this person be truly aware of my kind thoughts and feelings, yet still want to burn me? I don't know the answer.
Of course, empathy is not identical to kindness, and I guess people could still choose to disregard and disrespect, although there seems to be a natural sense of identity and incorporation that comes with knowing the joys and pains of another. Do you remember that song: "You always hurt the one you love"? Why is that? If the whole human race developed compassion to the nth degree--would we tend to hurt one another? I know I want to see a cow knock over Cos's bike, and stand over him going "Moo", "Moo", "Moo"! but I don't want him hurt--just startled! |
