In the Terminator thread, ScioAgapeOmnis brought up a discussion on empathy:
Syntony
n. tuning wireless instrument to same wavelength. syntonic, a. pertaining to syntony; Psychology, in harmony with one's surroundings.
While the second definition relates more to D's statements, it seems the first also gives a clue to another piece of the puzzle, namely what Stout describes as 'limbic resonance' in her new book, The Paranoia Switch.
I think Dabrowski provides some pieces of the puzzle in describing how empathy evolves from syntony through positive disintegration.ScioAgapeOmnis said:So I guess what I'm asking is, what is the connection between empathy and knowledge? And what came first - a sort of chicken or egg question. Is empathy a result of a certain kind of perspective/knowledge, or is it vice versa? If we look at the results of already having empathy, it seems that empathy promotes objectivity - you don't place yourself above others, empathy sort of reminds you that you're no more important than others, that their pain is no less significant than yours. And empathy, if allowed to run its course, also discourages wishful thinking - again because you care about others, and this concern makes you care about things that allow you to help others, which necessitate an understanding of objective reality because that's the only way to objectively help someone.
But all that, in my understanding, is a result of empathy already being present to some degree, with potential to develop it further. But if empathy is missing, can it be created, can it be "born" or appear as a result of something else? Because if psychopaths are failed OPs and OP's lack higher centers, maybe empathy is part of the "higher centers" and that's where it originates and that's why psychopaths have neither? Would that mean empathy, real empathy (not pretend or programming etc) is not just another "chemical" like our base emotions like fear or sadness, but comes from a higher level? I don't know, but when the C's were asked how we know if we have a soul they said "Do you ever hurt for another?"
In looking up syntony there is also this definition:Dabrowki (1970) said:The feelings of syntony and empathy
On a low level of development, i.e. primitive integration, we observe forms of syntony so primitive that, depending on circumstances, they can easily change into asyntony. Primitive forms of syntony find their expression in union with a collective mood, in union with the psychomotorics of a dancing group, in common laughter, in the impulses of a crowd (such as fighting, “living it up,” drinking, primitive forms of rivalry, etc.). Such primitive syntony involves spontaneous, rhythmic, dynamic, or explosive forms of behavior in the area of sensory needs and primitive emotional interests. This is a constitutionally compulsive behavior determined physiologically.
On a somewhat higher level, i.e. on the level of unilevel disintegration, we observe instinctive forms of the desire to help others. This is accompanied by ambivalent and changeable overexperiencing of other people’s problems. These feelings, however, are so unstable that from positive emotions they may easily turn to resentment, jealousy, stubbornness and hatred. Such coupling of the stimulation of primitive levels of the self-preservation instinct with an awakening of the feelings of syntony shows a disequilibrium of syntonic and asyntonic attitudes. Hence the ambivalence, ambitendencies and changeability displayed through a disharmony of thought, feeling, and action. It also manifests shifting away from the rigidity of primitive integration towards the greater plasticity of initial disintegration.
On a higher level, i.e. at the first stage of multilevel disintegration, there appears a hierarchy of values. We observe more alterocentric, unselfish attitudes expressed by a readiness to help; we observe more consistent sensitivity towards the need of others forsaking primitive selfishness. This attitude is characterized by a more or less strong participation of thoughtfulness and reflection. This is empathy.
On the level of the organization of multilevel disintegration we observe conscious forms of syntony coupled with an ability to perceive and to systematically weed out residual forms of primitive syntony, such as understanding and love. Deeper syntony and kindness are united here in an understanding of the developmental level and type of each encountered individual (identification with others). A disapproval of his more primitive moral attitudes and actions does not diminish the desire to help him. Typical examples are: a tendency to defend others, a heart-warming attitude, understanding, and the like, which are accompanied by reflection and critical evaluation.
On the highest level, that is to say, in secondary integration, we encounter deeper understanding of every human being in respect to his developmental level, inner potential and similar functions. This expresses a form of syntony that is multi-dimensional and multi-level; it goes parallel with an increased understanding of the whole psychic structure of encountered persons. With the understanding of the deeper needs of others, with constant readiness to help, with identification with others and profound empathy comes peace of mind. Its mark is an attitude of “syntonic” wisdom, understanding, kindness and generosity. What is primitive is not approved of, neither is it condemned.
Syntony
n. tuning wireless instrument to same wavelength. syntonic, a. pertaining to syntony; Psychology, in harmony with one's surroundings.
While the second definition relates more to D's statements, it seems the first also gives a clue to another piece of the puzzle, namely what Stout describes as 'limbic resonance' in her new book, The Paranoia Switch.
It seems with the use of conscious suffering, or positive disintigration, we might break free from this 'tug' of primitive syntony.Stout said:And fear is contagious. As I will discuss in detail in later chapters, scientists have begun to study a fascinating brain process called limbic resonance, by which a part of the brain mentioned before as having to do with emotion and memory - the lymbic system - can draw the emotions of a pair of people, or even a larger group, into congruence. One brain “tugs” on another to feel loving or joyful or angry or peaceful or hostile - or fearful. To use recognizable examples from the psychiatrist and writer Thomas Lewis, limbic resonance is what makes it more exciting, more romantic, or more teary-eyed to watch a movie with another person, rather than alone - and in less sanguine circumstances, it is what “sends waves of emotion rolling through a throng, making scattered individuals into a unitary, panic stricken herd or hate-filled lynch mob.” Our lymbic systems act as the antennae for and the broadcasters of our emotional states, and they make our affections, our hostilities, and our fears invisibly and wordlessly communicable.