I always thought it was innate and beaten out of you around middle school, but I'm not sure. I had to think for awhile. I answered the poll but am still thinking. hmm.
I think some level of compassion is innate, or at least the capability to exercise that compassion. However, I agree with 10yroldwhizkid and think that social pressures and experience modulate our compassion into what our society considers acceptable or ultimately profittable.
I actually had a sarcastic answer, but the question deserves better than that. Damn you, Snurri!
I actually just read a fascinating article about recent research that showed that the instinct for revenge and the instinct for forgiveness were both innate, yet influenced by environment.
Basically, the theory is that, in situations in which strength is paramount for safety, the instinct for revenge takes the lead because you're less likely to be attacked if you make an example of someone.
Similarly, in situations in which cooperation is more conducive to survival, the instinct for forgiveness becomes more pronounced.
And I answered as I did because my mom was just telling me about my severely ADHD (and then some) nephew getting the cold shoulder at gifted and talented camp. GRRRRR.
Is it cheating to say "a little bit of both"? I think compassion is part of our nature, as social animals. Extending that compassion to people we don't know takes a bit of abstract thinking, which must be learned.
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I am not trying to be funny, here.
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I actually had a sarcastic answer, but the question deserves better than that. Damn you, Snurri!
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not an either/or
Basically, the theory is that, in situations in which strength is paramount for safety, the instinct for revenge takes the lead because you're less likely to be attacked if you make an example of someone.
Similarly, in situations in which cooperation is more conducive to survival, the instinct for forgiveness becomes more pronounced.
(If you're interested, you can download the article at http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/2008spring/.)
Re: not an either/or
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