The Topic: Empathetic

Medea

Can you be empathetic but still enjoy the misery of others?

Responses:

Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi

Since, by definition, empathy is the identification with and understanding of another's situation and feelings, it would be possible, I suppose, only if the person were also a masochist.

And by the way, the preferred term is 'empathic.'

Lt. Commander Data

Yes, if, for instance, your only apparent ability was to 'sense hostility' from someone who is actively firing at the ship, now that would be 'em-pathetic.'

Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi

Data! That was mean!

Lt. Commander Data

I am sorry, counselor, I did not realize, as I did not have my emotion chip activated.

Lt. Commander Data

...as far as you know.

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