Sympathism: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Sympathism is a humanistic philosophy and belief system that primarily stresses the importance of empathy and sympathy in moral decision-making and interpersonal relations. It is sometimes referred to as the “ethics of empathy” or the “ethics of sympathy,” as it encourages individuals to sympathize with other people’s perspectives and feelings. Sympathism originated in the nineteenth century, and while its influence has fluctuated over time, it continues to be an important moral philosophy today.
Definition
Sympathism is a humanistic philosophy and belief system that primarily emphasizes the importance of empathy and sympathy in moral decision-making and interpersonal relations. It is based on the idea that human beings should strive to understand and appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others, and to judge their actions based on this understanding. Sympathism is sometimes referred to as the “ethics of empathy” or the “ethics of sympathy,” as it encourages individuals to sympathize with other people’s perspectives and feelings.
History
Sympathism originated in the nineteenth century, with its major proponent being the German philosopher Wilhelm Windelband. Windelband argued that moral judgments should be based on sympathy, rather than on rational or utilitarian principles, and proposed that individuals should strive to understand and appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others. Other theorists, such as John Stuart Mill and Henry Sidgwick, further developed Windelband’s ideas and expanded the scope of sympathism.
Sympathism was a popular moral philosophy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but its influence waned in the late twentieth century. In recent decades, however, sympathism has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the field of ethics and moral philosophy.
Characteristics
Sympathism includes several key characteristics. First, it emphasizes the importance of empathy and sympathy in judging the actions of others. This means that individuals should strive to understand the motivations and feelings of others, and to judge their actions from their perspective. Second, sympathism rejects the idea that moral judgments should be based solely on rational or utilitarian principles. Instead, it suggests that moral decisions should be based on both reason and sympathy. Third, sympathism stresses the importance of compassion and understanding in interpersonal relationships. It encourages individuals to treat others with kindness and respect, and to be considerate of their feelings.
Conclusion
Sympathism is a humanistic philosophy and belief system that emphasizes the importance of empathy and sympathy in moral decision-making and interpersonal relations. It originated in the nineteenth century, and while its influence has fluctuated over time, it continues to be an important moral philosophy today.
References
Bertrand, M. (2020). Sympathism. In Encyclopedia of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.credoreference.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia-of-ethics/sympathism
Galaburda, A. M. (2005). Sympathy, Morality, and Society: The Development of Wilhelm Windelband’s Thought. International Philosophical Quarterly, 45(3), 327–344.
Hume, D. (1739/1978). A Treatise of Human Nature. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mill, J. S. (1861/2006). Utilitarianism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sidgwick, H. (1874/2007). The Methods of Ethics. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett.
Windelband, W. (1886/2006). Sympathy and Morality. In A. J. Stein (Ed.), Wilhelm Windelband on Philosophy and Culture: Selected Writings (pp. 157-164). Charlottesville, VA: Imprint Academic.