Topic

Compassion

2 essays on compassion from the Consilium journal. Featuring Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Baruch Spinoza. Each pits three thinkers against one hard question.


Ethics

When Is It Okay to Lie to Someone You Love?

Three thinkers on lying to someone you love. Chekhov asks what gap the lie fills. Dostoevsky says the motive is not what you think. Spinoza says understanding the feeling transforms it.

Anton ChekhovFyodor DostoevskyBaruch SpinozaHonestyCompassionEthics

Ethics

When Is It Right to Help Someone Who Won't Help Themselves?

Three thinkers on helping those who resist. Rogers says accept the person, not the behavior. Havel says enabling is dishonesty. Weil says attention sees what is actually needed.

Carl RogersVaclav HavelSimone Weilcarecompassion

Related

Anton Chekhov Baruch Spinoza Carl Rogers Fyodor Dostoevsky Simone Weil Vaclav Havel Ethics Honesty care

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