Understanding Determinism leads to increased Empathy and a better world

[Sunbelt]

Now more than ever I think people are more compassionate and caring towards others who are in need. The number of people participating in groups for charitable organizations and organizations like Amnesty International has risen.

Does Amnesty International ever get involved with creating jobs? Is there any sort of self-sufficiency action plan on their agenda? Does Determinism help facilitate any of these things?

[gospurs]

Determinism: The idea that all our thoughts and actions are dictated by a causal relationship with our environment.

Empathy: The ability to understand other people and "put yourself in their shoes" so to speak.


Thesis: By understanding the cause-effect relationship of determinism, we can become more understanding of people by seeing how their history and environment shaped them into becoming who they are. By seeing these relationships, we can focus on the root causes and problems in the environment (economic, political, and physical) and addressing them so that future generations grow up with more positive influences.

In practicality, this might lead you to understand that a strong education and an understanding of ethics taught in the classroom might lead to a statistically higher percentage of non-violent and benevolent people. In other words, this is a way of shaping society to become the best it can be--and it starts from understanding causality.

If only people showed more empathy and compassion, the world would be a much better place. Thats a big 'If'.
The problem is many people have grown so accustumed to all the greed, hate, and indifference in the world that they doubt anything one person does or thinks can make a difference.

We all have the capacity to help or hurt others, its not like there are 'good' or 'evil' people which we can judge and separate into categories. We shouldnt, but we do it anyways. By constantly focusing on what divides us (race, social class, religion, etc) it is extremely difficult to be compassionate and close to others.

Its ironic how our compassion and generosity is usually diminished as our wealth or power increases. Its not always the case, but those who possess the greatest capability to change the world (politicians, corporations,billionaires) do not use it to help others, but rather for personal gain.
If power corrupts, and those in power have the greatest influence on the world, then (as George Carlin would say) we are SOL & JWF. Shit out of luck and jolly well fucked.

[Peter]

Its not always the case, but those who possess the greatest capability to change the world (politicians, corporations,billionaires) do not use it to help others, but rather for personal gain.

I wonder if that's really true. I've never seen any stats on it.

[Thanatos]

However, I disagree completely with your assessment as presented in your final paragraph. "A strong education" could be reworded as "indoctrinated deception" and the "ethics taught in the classroom" are extremely suspect. As thousands of years of history has shown, mankind is not becoming more empathetic (as a race) as knowledge increases but less.

One hundred years ago women could not vote, doctors sold opium as a cough suppressant and Europe got into one of the bloodiest wars ever because of nationalism and litigiousness.

Two hundred years ago my ancestors owned slaves and engaged in acts of imperialism that make Bush seem like the nice but retarded man he was. Four hundred years ago they burned witches and it was illegal for people of lower classes to wear bright colors because the English nobility felt like making it so. One thousand years ago my ancestors were raiding the English coast in longboats, drinking mead and laughing at notions of morality that didn't involve proving your worthiness through slaughtering neighbors and dying on the battlefield.

It's too fast of a change to be genetic. Somewhere in all those printing presses and philosophical movements we achieved something of value. We, and by we I mean western civilization, learned to be slightly less bloody-minded.

Only Christian fundies and neo-vikings are likely to believe we've progressed backwards. Which are you? Why do you say that?

[The Black Ghost]

Does Amnesty International ever get involved with creating jobs? Is there any sort of self-sufficiency action plan on their agenda? Does Determinism help facilitate any of these things?

Not directly, no. But determinism shows you the need for stable, sustainable societies. Amnesty is not focuses on that, but other groups are.

If only people showed more empathy and compassion, the world would be a much better place. Thats a big 'If'.
The problem is many people have grown so accustumed to all the greed, hate, and indifference in the world that they doubt anything one person does or thinks can make a difference.

We all have the capacity to help or hurt others, its not like there are 'good' or 'evil' people which we can judge and separate into categories. We shouldnt, but we do it anyways. By constantly focusing on what divides us (race, social class, religion, etc) it is extremely difficult to be compassionate and close to others.

Its ironic how our compassion and generosity is usually diminished as our wealth or power increases. Its not always the case, but those who possess the greatest capability to change the world (politicians, corporations,billionaires) do not use it to help others, but rather for personal gain.
If power corrupts, and those in power have the greatest influence on the world, then (as George Carlin would say) we are SOL & JWF. Shit out of luck and jolly well fucked.

That too can be understood through the same method though.So what makes people who are wealthy and powerful...corrupted? If we cannot change their minds, how do we influence the next generation of the the rich?

[gospurs]

S

I wonder if that's really true. I've never seen any stats on it.

No stats, just my personal opinion. I doubt that our world would be in the current state that its in if those in power actually cared about and helped those in need. I dont think its simply coincidence when you see this constantly throughout our history and today.
Human nature is a complicated thing. A man might consider himself to be 'X', but under certain conditions he can transform into 'Y'.
If gospurs had the power of the president, he would help sooo many people. Of course if gospurs had that kind of power, he wouldnt be 'gospurs' anymore, would he? I wish i would always remain the same person no matter what, but really, who the hell knows.

[Sunbelt]

Not directly, no. But determinism shows you the need for stable, sustainable societies. Amnesty is not focuses on that, but other groups are.

Then they do indirectly? How is it done? Who are they in cooperation with?

I think we all understand the need for stable, sustainable societies; isn't this a no-brainer? What purpose does determinism serve other than stating the obvious?

[Thanatos]

Then they do indirectly? How is it done? Who are they in cooperation with?

I think we all understand the need for stable, sustainable societies; isn't this a no-brainer? What purpose does determinism serve other than stating the obvious?

The OP's unique definition of determinism is kind of universal. As I read it, it's that your choices and actions can have meaningful and predictable consequences. I believe all my actions have consequences. I think that it's not always possible to predict precisely what those consequences will be, but I can be certain enough.

However, not everyone is a determinist! Not everyone believes their choices have meaningful consequences - this is getting confusing because the OP defined determinism to mean the exact opposite of what most philosophers mean by determinism. Some people tell me it's all just a dream or that it's impossible to go against the natural order of things or that what they choose to do otherwise does not matter...

I'm not sure why Amnesty International is part of the discussion but from what I've seen they most definitely believe actions have consequences that can effect the future of the world.

[BlackSheep]

Thesis: By understanding the cause-effect relationship of determinism, we can become more understanding of people by seeing how their history and environment shaped them into becoming who they are. By seeing these relationships, we can focus on the root causes and problems in the environment (economic, political, and physical) and addressing them so that future generations grow up with more positive influences.

The biggest problem is there are innumerable factors to deal with that all have impacts on the individual and each other. Not only that but few are under our control in any real way.

In practicality, this might lead you to understand that a strong education and an understanding of ethics taught in the classroom might lead to a statistically higher percentage of non-violent and benevolent people. In other words, this is a way of shaping society to become the best it can be--and it starts from understanding causality.

In theory, but not in a practical sense. Certainly there is statistics to show a strong educations correlates to less criminal activity, but is it the education or other factors of people who tend to get better educations? I have never heard of any statistics on an understanding of ethics on this. Lets not forget the genetic factor as well as family dynamics.

[CarlPilkington]

Determinism, the knowledge of it I should say, doesn't lead to more empathy, according to this article.
Of course, personally, I can say it has definitely helped me to justify both empathy and apathy.

[cfreetenor]

I completely agree that empathy and knowledge of determinism can be a great help in making a better world. But I have a word of caution, TBG.

I know exactly what you're talking about, believe me, but it is a dangerous thing being so finely attuned to the insecurities and problems of others. Everyone you know will have problems that they just will not be ready to acknowledge that are clear as day to you, and what may result is an overwhelming sense of loneliness. It is a very effective way to see the world, but the problem is in today's world so many people are so focused on their own insecurities that they become the most obvious thing to you. Conversations aren't really conversations - if you're lucky all you'll manage to do is peel back a few of the layers many people have chosen to surround themselves with. For most people you won't even be close. Perhaps it is better than living in ignorance of these things, but this way of thinking is mutually inclusive with a very cynical worldview. At least in my experience.

[BlackSheep]

I completely agree that empathy and knowledge of determinism can be a great help in making a better world. But I have a word of caution, TBG.

I know exactly what you're talking about, believe me, but it is a dangerous thing being so finely attuned to the insecurities and problems of others. Everyone you know will have problems that they just will not be ready to acknowledge that are clear as day to you, and what may result is an overwhelming sense of loneliness. It is a very effective way to see the world, but the problem is in today's world so many people are so focused on their own insecurities that they become the most obvious thing to you. Conversations aren't really conversations - if you're lucky all you'll manage to do is peel back a few of the layers many people have chosen to surround themselves with. For most people you won't even be close. Perhaps it is better than living in ignorance of these things, but this way of thinking is mutually inclusive with a very cynical worldview. At least in my experience.

It has not been my experience. I have found by understanding people I can help them overcome issues and become very close to them. I have become very close to numerous people this way.