You identify two parts to developing empathy that I want to note:
develop knowledge about the situation that some people endure
develop emotional empathy for those people in that situation
I develop emotional empathy from videos, photos, and first-hand experiences, but it is not always necessary. For example, I was moved by Gail Eisnitz’ book Slaughterhouse to become a vegan for a few years[1]. Learning in depth about the troubles of factory farmed animals helped me appreciate their plight. It did contain photos, but those were not the convincing part of its content.
On a related note, I particularly enjoy stories of animals that help humans and help each other, that is, animals that show empathy. Weird as it is, I also enjoy stories of animals helping each other across species, and animals that show empathy or feeling for humans (for example, dolphins rescuing humans or tigers happy to see their former trainers). Video evidence of such interactions are very convincing for me (for example, watching a tiger hug and play with its trainer).
For me, it seems emotionally moving to learn about the commonalities with humans of animal emotions and affective experience, or to interpret animal behavior as showing those commonalities.
I found the diet difficult, and in particular, dealing with protein requirements difficult. However, a kernel of interest in vegan protein remains in me, enough to motivate changes in my food consumption in a future where that is easier.
Thank you for this post!
You identify two parts to developing empathy that I want to note:
develop knowledge about the situation that some people endure
develop emotional empathy for those people in that situation
I develop emotional empathy from videos, photos, and first-hand experiences, but it is not always necessary. For example, I was moved by Gail Eisnitz’ book Slaughterhouse to become a vegan for a few years[1]. Learning in depth about the troubles of factory farmed animals helped me appreciate their plight. It did contain photos, but those were not the convincing part of its content.
On a related note, I particularly enjoy stories of animals that help humans and help each other, that is, animals that show empathy. Weird as it is, I also enjoy stories of animals helping each other across species, and animals that show empathy or feeling for humans (for example, dolphins rescuing humans or tigers happy to see their former trainers). Video evidence of such interactions are very convincing for me (for example, watching a tiger hug and play with its trainer).
For me, it seems emotionally moving to learn about the commonalities with humans of animal emotions and affective experience, or to interpret animal behavior as showing those commonalities.
I found the diet difficult, and in particular, dealing with protein requirements difficult. However, a kernel of interest in vegan protein remains in me, enough to motivate changes in my food consumption in a future where that is easier.