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Philosophy 101
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Pity.
| Philosophy 101 |
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Pity. |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow 
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Upon my reading, I came to a question that I thought would be good. Do you believe that pity is a virtue? |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
No. I think empathy is, but pity, to me, is what you feel for someone who you feel bad for, but don't really care about. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, but it's not really a good thing either. I think that pity takes away the human dimension that empathy has, and to me, it implies that the person will never change. |
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muted
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving |
a modest person would not feel pity for another person. Pity would automatically put you on a "higer level" than the person being pitied. Modesty = empathy/sympathy= virtue I dont consider pity a virtue, a person who feels "better than" someone else is not being virtuous...just selfish.  |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
"Pity" probably lacks the positive connotations of "compassion", because compassion seems to add the dimension of love for the one who is pitied. Hush is right, I can feel pity in a cold and detached way, but compassion requires more of my heart (specifically, love). Maybe pity is a stepping stone, to get us to the higher virtue of compassion? Stephen |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I've been searching the dictionaries, and can't find anything negative, but pity always did seem to connotate a negative reaction in myself. But then, I have such problems with that I once buried my dog with a hand shovel rather than borrow a proper spade from a neighbor. Hmm. I guess I oughtta think about that, huh? shaking my head here... You can tell me that "you understand" and you can even turn my stomach with the phrase "I feel your pain"--but somehow? "I pity you" indicates a sneer to me. As if I'm already done for or something. and we all know, I'm like the thing in a horror movie. I just keep coming back. Stay tuned for the sequel-- "Serenity Returns"  ? |
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wings of the moon Member
since 2003-03-27
Posts 323Pink bubblegum land |
Wilfred Owen's poetry was all about "the pity" of war. I do not think he was an un-virtuous person by any standards. Unless you adopt the stance that he is pitying war itself. It seems absurd to call him un-virtuous in this case for sneering at this vague-ish concept, for what is war? the people fighting it, following orders? the generals that die in bed? the government? or just human race's natural flaws? |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
'Maybe pity is a stepping stone, to get us to the higher virtue of compassion?' I dunno, Stephen... I almost think we are naturally inclined to compassion first, and then fall back on pity when either our efforts to help go unheeded, or our ability to love the person wears out. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
Synonyms: pity, compassion, commiseration, sympathy, condolence, empathy These nouns signify kindly concern aroused by the misfortune, affliction, or suffering of another. Pity often implies a feeling of sorrow that inclines one to help or to show mercy: felt pity for the outcast. Compassion denotes deep awareness of the suffering of another and the wish to relieve it: “Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism” (Hubert H. Humphrey). Commiseration signifies the expression of pity or sorrow: expressed their commiseration over the failure of the experiment. I believe that it depends on our culture and conditioning on the way of words...their meaning...some fear pity as an emotion for weakness and failure, therefore they are embarrassed by the word....but the word is in itself, an entity of compassion and care for others. Yes? Just my thoughts. Thanks for the opportunity to share. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
quote: Yeah, I see you're point. I guess I wasn't really referring to chronology though. I was just stating that compassion (or love) is more sublime than just "feeling sorry" for someone (ie, pity). It is the more excellent virtue, the more ideal ... whether we happen to be falling from it, or striving towards it. Stephen. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
quote: |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Excellent. |
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