Adam Smith, the author of The Wealth of Nations, believed that “empathy is an intellectual activity that takes into account circumstances, motives, luck, social status, and human character of the person.” The moment we blame another person’s actions, we examine the appropriateness of those actions. Adequacy is a state of neither excess nor understatement. If everyone else thinks a person is bad but I advocate for that person by saying, “I can understand,” then I approve of their actions. This situation is called “mutual sympathy.” In our lives, we can be egocentric in some cases and relation-centric in others. The more mutual sympathy exists, the more relationship-oriented our thinking becomes. Both too much and too little can lead to tiredness or dissatisfaction. Pursuing happiness means finding this adequacy. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
My mother uses an old cell phone instead of a typical smartphone. My father passed away without ever owning a cell phone. Though they were my parents living in the same era as technology advanced, they struggled to learn how to use a computer. As a result, my parents felt increasingly out of touch. Existing in the same timeframe doesn’t guarantee that everyone experiences the same advancements in civilization. Although time progresses universally, its impact varies among individuals. This variance is shaped by our memories and cognitive perceptions. Thus, the saying, “You don’t miss your water till the well runs dry” remains relevant. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”