ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This paper aims to elucidate the characteristics and conditions of empathy as an antidote to the emotion of disgust. Amid the intensification of social conflicts driven by discrimination and disgust, recent empathy discourses have emphasized empathy as a major solution and antithesis to various forms of social conflict caused by disgust, based on the belief that enhancing empathy skills can help address societal issues. However, the partiality, fragmentation, blind adherence, and instability inherent in empathy suggest that, rather than being a pro-social impetus, empathy can ultimately reinforce prejudice and discrimination toward others. Therefore, this paper seeks to redefine the relationship between the broad spectrum of empathy and the emotion of disgust. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it proposes the specific forms of empathy we should pursue, teach, and aim for, offering conditions under which empathy might effectively counteract a society rife with disgust.

키워드