Research has shown that the amount we can care about others is inversely proportional to their numbers. In typical instances, even going from one to two people results in less interest and empathy. For example, we appear to be able to care deeply and emotionally about an individual being tortured, but the genocide of 10,000 can only be considered intellectually.
Of course, this does not excuse apathy. Our species does not require emotion to do what is right and to condemn what is wrong. However, it does mean that guilt and condemnation over a lack of emotion is unrealistic.
Steve
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