Compassion

This page describes a concept which is part of our glossary

An introduction to compassion from W. David Hoisington from www.compassionspace.com. It is expressed through the action that people demonstrate in relationship with other sentient beings as part of their willingness to reduce suffering. One can have empathy without compassion, meaning one can feel the suffering of another without doing anything. Often this can lead to what is incorrectly called “compassion fatigue”. But when people are asked to describe people who they think are compassionate people they do not say “they sat and thought in a compassionate way”. Instead they speak of compassion as having an action component. When people think of compassion heroes they think of people who acted in ways that showed compassion. How would we know if someone was compassionate unless there was action?

See also

• Common vision
• Values