Harry : compassion vs saving-people thing

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115074



Pippin wrote :
"But "suffering" is not only  emotional and "wanting to do something
about it" need not be limited to providing emotional support."

Del replies :
Where did I say that I was talking about emotional pain and relief
only ? I *did* mean all kinds of sufferings.

Pippin wrote :
" Would anyone really say that the researcher who puts in long and
lonely hours to find a cure for a disease or the philanthropist who
"gives till it hurts" aren't  aware of others' pain and willing to
suffer themselves to alleviate it? Isn't that compassion too?"

Del replies :
And how does that not fit with my definition ? Let me remind you :

"To me, compassion has to do with relating to the *suffering* of 
others. (snip) it's about recognising that someone is suffering,
validating that pain, and wanting to do something about it. "

The researcher who is dedicated to finding a cure because he wants to
do something about the suffering of the sick, and the philanthropist
who keeps giving because he keeps seeing pain that needs relief around
him, both fit my definition of compassion.

Del