Annmarie Throckmorton, M.A.
- Apr 28, 2018

Compassion

Why do only we, and no other animals, have it?

The dictionary will say that compassion is “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others”; but that is a simplified understanding of compassion. Well-developed compassion is the desire to remove the sufferings and misfortunes of others, which is a different and much more difficult feeling; and complete compassion is to actively work to remove the sufferings and misfortunes of others, even to one’s own detriment. Animals cannot yet feel or act in this way, what would our world be like if they could?

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

My understanding in this matter is incomplete, see the fascinating research of Franciscus Bernardus Maria "Frans" de Waal, who is a Dutch primatologist and ethologist.

Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNB4Q1nA63A