This Poll Is Not Particularly Funny

[snurri]

[Poll #1198203]

Be glad all you're getting is the poll, because the rambling was starting to bore even me.

Comments

[glvalentine.livejournal.com]

Possibly the most interesting one-question poll ever.

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

What is "universal compassion?"

I am not trying to be funny, here.

[10yroldwhizkid.livejournal.com]

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.

[sarah-prineas.livejournal.com]

I think we're hard-wired.

[justinhowe.livejournal.com]

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!

[jocelina.livejournal.com]

I think the capacity for it is innate, but it usually (though not always) needs some nurturing to develop properly.

[jamiam.livejournal.com]

Boy howdy, is this ever a poll in need of a ticky box...

not an either/or

[rsheslin.livejournal.com]

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.

(If you're interested, you can download the article at http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/2008spring/.)

[bondgwendabond.livejournal.com]

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.

[snale.livejournal.com]

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.