Like the poor lack empathy and then as you go up the bell curve empathy rises, maxing out at middle class, and then again falling as you start hitting being rich?
Like the poor lack empathy and then as you go up the bell curve empathy rises, maxing out at middle class, and then again falling as you start hitting being rich?
I think it was David Graeber that pointed out that the poorer you are the more you need to be able to empathize with your boss and clients in order to survive.
But this notion that the middle class are somehow more empathetic is interesting because I think it is based on the (correct) idea that people need to actually own something in order to be generous. However, I find from personal experience, poor people have an easier time giving what they have because they know they can survive having nothing.
I never thought about it that way. Great take. If empathy is tied to percentage of wealth donated then surely the middle or middle upper is the winner, but in terms of what one wishes to give, I find it hard to believe from my experience with extremely impoverished people that they wouldn’t give more if they could.
I’ll never forget a guy in Chicago that while we were checking out a pizza place he walked up, obviously struggling, but was highly recommending the place and gave me a free slice because he was full after his first one. I didn’t want to take it but eventually did because it seemed important to him. I think about him often.
Oh man I have a story about an unhoused lady who has dementia. I walk my dog and sometimes she recognizes me, other times she has no idea. One of the days I was walking the dog and she forgot who I was and asked to pet my dog. She thought I was unhoused as well for some reason and told me about some good spots to sleep. These people know what it means to survive based on the kindness of others.
PS
Her name is Catalina, and sometimes I see her at church and she donated what little money she has. It sorta painful but then I remember how we treat her. We always have a place for her at our table to eat after the service. She’s our neighbor as far as we’re concerned.