Action Quote by Amartya Sen
“If the knowledge of torture of others makes you sick, it is a case of sympathy... It can be argued that behaviour based on sympathy is in an important sense egoistic, for one is oneself pleased at others' pleasure and pained at others' pain, and the pursuit of one's own utility may thus be helped by sympathetic action.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Argumentative Indian, Amartya Sen, 2005
Sympathy can be seen as self‑interest because helping others also benefits one's own emotional well‑being.
In simple terms: Helping others also helps yourself.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that empathy can serve personal and collective good.
Themes
ethics
psychology
self‑interest
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- social work
- conflict resolution
- personal relationships
- policy making
Key Concepts
egoism
altruism
emotional utility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does empathy influence your decisions?
- Can self‑interest and altruism coexist?
A Different Perspective
Sympathy may be limited when personal gain is absent.
