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(75,480 posts)

2. No. If that were true, we wouldn't have psychopaths ergo sociopaths.

Mon Feb 3, 2014, 06:24 PM

Feb 2014

However, I believe compassion is essential to creating a functioning society.

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33 replies

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Is compassion required to be a human being? [View all] oldhippie Feb 2014 OP

of course it is. Deep13 Feb 2014 #1

Actually both make a strong case otherwise Scootaloo Feb 2014 #15

Yeah, that's something to think about. Cleita Feb 2014 #16

Altruism is an conspecies trait, yeah Scootaloo Feb 2014 #18

Yes, compassion is innate. So is greed. liberal_at_heart Feb 2014 #3

I don't think greed is innate. ananda Feb 2014 #13

The great fear of scarity is induced by nature mostly Fumesucker Feb 2014 #30

Nope. Lots of folks running around out there with none of it. Squinch Feb 2014 #4

No gollygee Feb 2014 #5

Is a conscience the same as compassion? nt oldhippie Feb 2014 #7

Compassion requires empathy gollygee Feb 2014 #8

Yes but if you can be a human being and not have compassion gollygee Feb 2014 #20

I think it can be taught or destroyed Warpy Feb 2014 #6

Just for hippies RobertEarl Feb 2014 #9

Hey Buddy! How ya doin'? oldhippie Feb 2014 #11

Since you aked: Starfish RobertEarl Feb 2014 #14

Sorry I asked ..... oldhippie Feb 2014 #25

Sure RobertEarl Feb 2014 #28

Not to be a himan being, only to be a humane being. eom uppityperson Feb 2014 #10

Obviously not YarnAddict Feb 2014 #12

I believe that human compassion billh58 Feb 2014 #17

No, but it sure helps. n/t Aerows Feb 2014 #21

Obviously not Armstead Feb 2014 #22

We are socialized according to the society we live in. bemildred Feb 2014 #26

No 2naSalit Feb 2014 #27

See the film, "12 Years A Slave" for your answer. Yavin4 Feb 2014 #31

Yes... If You Want To Be A Humane Being... WillyT Feb 2014 #32

No and yes. rrneck Feb 2014 #33