The Need for Greater Humanization of Society and Organizations
On empathy, compassion, and the antidote to dehumanization
Two important virtues we all have access to, empathy and compassion, are unique to our humanity and support collaboration, decision making, and problem solving. They are the antidote to the dehumanization that imprisons us all.
We can tap into our superpowers to build upon the strength of our collective humanity.
More so now, given the many challenges we face on multiple levels which require collaboration, problem solving, innovation and better decision making.
Two important virtues we all have access to and are unique to our humanity, these superpowers support collaboration, decision making and problem solving. They are empathy and compassion. Available to all of humanity and resides within each of us.
Countless studies have found that the virtues of "compassion and empathy" lead to better decision making and greater Coherence in situations which involve human beings. Given that most of the issues we face today connect to humans, I felt it important to write this article to share insights, raise awareness on an area we often are not aware of, which imprisons us all and is counter to our humanity and progress.
Naturally in the world we live in, we can perceive and create the counter to empathy and compassion, resulting in an incoherent journey for a while. One of the greatest dilemmas humanity has had to contend with in society and organizations which inhibits Coherence and progress, is creating paths of separation and division, one of which is dehumanization of other beings (human and non-human beings). Though for the purpose of this article I will focus on human beings for now.
The basic premise of "dehumanization" is around an "in Group" versus "out Group" categorization thinking. Such perceiving is the start of Incoherence and breeds polarity. It is the root of separation from that which unites us in our humanity as sentient beings and allows us through our collective experiences and collaboration to find novel solutions. At the core of our experience of unity lies empathy and compassion.
This long historic pattern of separation and divisive thinking across so many generations and geographies, breeds dehumanization through the basis of its polarity, by which it creates suffering at the absence of empathy and compassion, leading to a complete breakdown of unity and trust. It often results in conflict that leads to incoherent decision making within organizations and society, as it creates silos of charged polarity.
Separation and Divisive Perceptions — Lead to Dehumanization
Dehumanization is created by an idea being held by an individual or group under a divisive belief/perception reliant on the premise of an "in group" with a distinct difference/contrast to what is deemed as the "out group" in their minds.
The start of such thinking takes root in the mind often at the absence of conscious awareness. The results create nothing short of suffering for those deemed to be in the "out group," governed by a lack of empathy which leads to poor decision making with costly unethical and inhumane choices. All of which have a high price for everyone involved, more so for the "out group" yet it always includes the so called "in group" in the long run.
Division comes at a price to all. The irony is the perpetrator(s) who deem themselves as part of the "in group, imprison their greatest Self by the very notion of what constitutes an "in group." Thereby, pigeonholing their entire humanity and Self in a tiny box of comparisons that fall into categories of contrasting opposites such as good or bad, right or wrong, in and out, etc. Understanding contrasts is this world are important, but using them to create division, is the start of Incoherence.
Why do division and separation have a high price for all? Simple, any choice and path that starts from an incoherent idea ends with an incoherent result, played out over time. There is no such thing as a part without the whole.
Time and time again throughout history we have seen the results and the price. It is a dance with division.
There is not a single culture, religion, family, individual, gender or organization that has not seen, experienced or been subjected to this type of Incoherence. The stronger the polarization, the greater the suffering. Everyone at one point or another has been or is in such a dance.
Throughout history and today, division takes place across many areas and categories. Most frequently it shows itself in times of crisis where it can be most destructive and sobering as well. Given how the Incoherence of division works within the mind, the categories are abundant. No matter what the category, it always has one common pattern, the lack of seeing all of the person or people for who they are and all they offer in any given situation, resulting in dehumanization and separation.
Ironically, the very antidote to "dehumanization and separation" is at the core of our humanity, empathy and compassion.
Therefore, let us look at empathy and compassion. The superpowers.
A Visual Illustration of Polarization and the Solution
Allow me to offer a visual illustration around the power of empathy and compassion as the antidote to polarization and division. Below I have illustrated what polarization looks like and the solution to dehumanization/separation/divisive behavior ("in group" and "out group").
Polarization in dehumanization "In Group" and "Out Group" concepts of separation and division:
Polarization
Resistance and Pressure Point
So, can one break the polarization and create a shift? Yes. Through empathy and compassion, the virtues of humanity which are present in all, they offer a way out of the charge of polarization. By shifting the pressure point to an elevated state of unity, it strengthens and changes the experience through engaging in empathy and compassion.
Creating a unified middle point out of polarization:
Creating a Unified Middle Point Out of Polarization
Note how the shift creates a strong middle point as it transforms the polarization and changes the model. The path of freedom from polarization is through the mid-point, the absence of creating divisive polarity strengthens and transforms the model for all involved into unity. For human beings, it is accessible through the virtues of empathy and compassion. Through empathy and compassion, we experience unity and dissolve the charge of resistance and separation.
Closing Comments
Next time you are faced with solving a problem involving human beings, I hope this diagram will inspire you to experience and consider the mid-point as the foundation for a coherent path. Utilizing empathy will help find and navigate toward the mid-point. While compassion brings forth unity.
Also remember, in cases of polarization where one side employs the virtues of empathy and compassion to reach for a unified mid-point, if the other side isn't able to participate in the shift at a given time, then choosing to disengage from the polarization is a conscious and compassionate choice to reduce the charge.
Remember, we all are made of quantum particles which make up this Universe and Stars!
How can any of us be in or out or separate, when we are made of the same particles of the entire Universe? And where exactly is "out" or "In" in the Universe?
(The illustrations are a sliver of a multi-dimensional quantum model and theory for problem solving used for groups @ tapinfinite.com. If you would like to shift a situation described in this article or would like to discuss a speaking engagement, reach out. If you would like to share the illustrations in this article, I ask for you to be conscientious, by giving credit to me as the author. Thank you.)
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." — Viktor E. Frankl
Originally published on TapInfinite.com — November 2023