Re:Let's Face It: Attack Other is Used by Everyone--Stopping the Blame Frame Would be Helpful

Perry,

Very interesting post. I would like to hear more about the difference between empathy and sympathy you referred to, but did not explore. I, too, think these are two different things. How does a humanist use sympathy more than empathy?

I tend to agree with Emilio that "attack other" is a very effective strategy used by people from all political orientations. It is a standard ploy to build a "straw man" that you can demolish rather than to actually deal with the proposals of those with whom you disagree.

And placing labels on your opponents is another effective means of blurring what their actual message is.

People from any orientation are likely to use these and other pragmatic strategies to win public opinion to their side--they are not necessarily concerned with "truth" per se, but with the end results. Withering an opponent's resolve is often better than presenting a better or more logical argument. (An often much easier.)

Have you ever read the writings of Lawrence Kohlberg and his theory of moral development? Briefly, this says that people can come to the same conclusion using very different reasoning patterns. The important thing is not the conclusion people reach about moral issues, but the maturity of their thinking and reasoning about those issues.

Also look up some info on the Blake and Mouton conflict grid. This posits two variables, assertiveness and empathy (or cooperativeness). Chart high and low scores on these two variables on the x-y continuum, and get five "conflict styles." A person high on assertiveness but low on empahty will attack others (metaphor: shark). A person high on empahty and low on assertiveness will be complementary to the first--such a person will appease or give in (meataphor: teddy bear). Low on both--avoidance (turtle). Mid on boht--compromising (fox). High on both--collaboarting or confronting (wise old owl).

Something to think about.

Don :)

(I proof read this only once, so bear with any typos--if you need me to, I will trnslate.) LOL

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