Your examples remind me of this thread on suicide, which is the most distressing thing I’ve read on less wrong. (Though it is not exactly an example of “low empathy.”)
I thought it could actually encourage another suicide. Suicidal feelings are ubiquitous, and the actual act is not that uncommon. When it’s committed it’s often a very disproportionate response to misfortune, or even to a mad self-hating inner monologue. I think the sober discussions that take place here about when misogyny, murder, or torture are warranted are mostly in bad taste, but I find it implausible that they will cause a harm worse than offense. Not so for a sober discussion of when suicide is warranted (even though it is not “offensive” in the same sense!).
Thank you. Well, no wonder I was puzzled, since this sentiment is thoroughly alien to me. When I hear of a suicide, my first thought and feeling are: “I’m glad his/her suffering is over”.
I’m surprised you call it “thoroughly alien,” I would have thought my position is thoroughly non-weird, even cliched. You really think nobody ever made a mistake by killing themselves? I won’t try to tell you otherwise, but you must know that that’s not a typical opinion.
Your examples remind me of this thread on suicide, which is the most distressing thing I’ve read on less wrong. (Though it is not exactly an example of “low empathy.”)
This puzzles me. Would you elaborate on the reasons why you found it distressing?
I thought it could actually encourage another suicide. Suicidal feelings are ubiquitous, and the actual act is not that uncommon. When it’s committed it’s often a very disproportionate response to misfortune, or even to a mad self-hating inner monologue. I think the sober discussions that take place here about when misogyny, murder, or torture are warranted are mostly in bad taste, but I find it implausible that they will cause a harm worse than offense. Not so for a sober discussion of when suicide is warranted (even though it is not “offensive” in the same sense!).
Thank you. Well, no wonder I was puzzled, since this sentiment is thoroughly alien to me. When I hear of a suicide, my first thought and feeling are: “I’m glad his/her suffering is over”.
I’m surprised you call it “thoroughly alien,” I would have thought my position is thoroughly non-weird, even cliched. You really think nobody ever made a mistake by killing themselves? I won’t try to tell you otherwise, but you must know that that’s not a typical opinion.