Playing Niccolò Apathiavelli

Of course we're not born without empathy, but it makes sense that empathy levels would go up and down. However, I believe there are innate appearances of empathy. Empathy levels have been linked to neurological disorders like autism and Asperger syndrome in ideas like the empathizing-systematizing theory. Strangely, there is an Empathy Quotient.

Of course, if empathy levels are a major factor in determining the presence of autism, then less extreme levels must be effecting (or not affecting) us constantly. Empathy is the basis of how humans interact. But while empathy levels increase in those with autism, the levels in our youth are collectively going down.

This seems to me like something out of science fiction: “Empathy Levels”. How can we really measure empathy? These levels can only be derived when we analyze how people interact; they cannot be measured by a meter stick. Empathy is the mysterious force behind human socialization. This mysterious aspect makes empathy a disconcerting subject to think about. I feel it’s similar to human contemplation of infinity. Empathy seems an impossible thing to understand completely, yet we are seeing signs of its presence or deficiency. We see its effects, but we cannot master it. This is a frightening thing.

Without empathy, we can no longer be a friendly society. We will harm others because we cannot imagine ourselves as someone else. Ironically, our direct self-focus would eventually harm ourselves.

There is a trend in not caring today, and perhaps emulation of popular figures and principles (e.g., Sherlock, the Honey Badger echoes) has attributed directly to this attitude, but no one is heartless, no matter how much they act. It's true that the actions matter most, not small inner contradictions, but let us not say that people lack empathy. A person may not act on his empathy, or he may pretend he has no feelings, but he is just acting, or being inactive.

I don't believe that collective humanity can be destructively low in empathy. At some point apathetic youths begin to understand other people's feelings, or they don't function well as adults. There is honorable sacrifice to outweigh the selfishness, but we could use some more.