Is it normal to be incapable of pity?

48% Normal
11 Comments

I have never really been able to feel pity.

I find pity to be a waste of time and energy. Pity doesn't help anyone, if anything it can be harmful. I think that time and energy would be better spent trying to actually help the person instead of just feeling sorry for them. When I can't help them and I know there's nothing I can do, I just brush it off and move on, no feelings of pity or remorse, I don't feel guilty for helping the people I can't help or who won't accept my help, I just move on.

I have never been able to feel pity, along with a few other emotions but those don't stand out as much. I've been called cold and heartless for not being able to feel sorry for someone and I really don't understand why people say that. Is it normal for some people to just not be able to feel pity?

Voting Results
48% Normal
Based on 50 votes (24 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • kingsleycrowne
    11 years ago

    Well I've always said live your life with passion and compassion in equal measures. I really believe this is what makes a good human being.

    Although pity aint exactly compassion, there are elements of pity within compassion. Without being too technical, just take the empathy you feel towards others (ie treating others how you'd like to be treated yourself) and walahhh! you're instantly a better member of the human race and you'll be able to think and act beyond the boundaries of yourself.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I pity you. Poor fool

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  • ProseAthlete
    11 years ago

    I have a fairly large capacity for compassion and even for pity, but I find I just can't muster up pity for people who talk about how they can't feel pity or normal human emotions because they're just sooooo cold and edgy like a case of razor blades. I can't help it; I just can't see these people as anything but attention-seekers who have just discovered that acting out against Mom and Dad feels liberating.

    I mentally hear all of these "IIN that I can't feel and am as cold as the interstellar void?" posts in a droning teen whine complete with breaking voice and occasional little-child sniffles while something from The Smiths plays in the background.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      I am just genuinely curious about how many others out there have this issue really. Though I do wonder if it's even an issue in all truth since not feeling pity really doesn't detract from a person's life, at least not too badly. The last thing I want is for anyone to pity me, it annoys the hell out of me when people do because, as I said in the original post, I don't see how being pitied helps anyone, if anything it can hinder them really.

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      • 1000yrVampireKing
        11 years ago

        I agree

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      • 1000yrVampireKing
        11 years ago

        People pity themselves so much. They pity ancestors and themselves for things we can not control now. Pity is not helping anyone. Though if someone is grieving they deserve some respect not a bunch of people saying "I am glad your family died!"

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  • dirtybirdy
    11 years ago

    as if I give a shit

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  • Maya05
    11 years ago

    I lack the ability to feel pity as well. And also am called heartless or cold because of it. I can't help that I can't feel pity and I don't understand why others can't accept that is the way I am instead of demonizing me for it.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      I know huh? It sucks, just because someone doesn't show pity doesn't mean they don't care about others. It's one emotion, a counterproductive one to top it off! Personally, I still care about others, a lot in all truth and that's why I try to help those I can. How can anyone see another trying to help someone then turn around and call them heartless for not feeling pity? It doesn't make sense!

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      • Maya05
        11 years ago

        Sadly we are not part of the majority in this and because of it will be looked down upon from the rest who automatically consider their way of seeing things to be the only right way.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          11 years ago

          That may be the case but I have to say one thing. Situations like this most certainly help people sort out who's worth their time to get to know and who's not. Someone worth being friends with will understand and just accept you as you are, even with a few missing emotions.

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