The word "sympathism" is spelled with the letter combination "th" which can be pronounced in two different ways. In this case, "th" is pronounced as /ð/ which is the voiced dental fricative sound. It is similar to the "th" sound in the word "them". The phonetic transcription of "sympathism" is /sɪmpəθɪzəm/. This word refers to a philosophy or belief system that emphasizes sympathy and understanding towards others. Despite its similarity to the word "sympathy", "sympathism" is a less common term.
Sympathism is a philosophical theory or doctrine that emerged in the 18th century, primarily associated with Scottish Enlightenment thinkers. It encompasses a range of ideas that center around the concept of sympathetic connection and its impact on human understanding and emotions.
At its core, sympathism posits that individuals can develop knowledge, moral sensitivity, and emotional responses to others through a shared or sympathetic connection. This connection is believed to be an innate human capacity, allowing individuals to grasp the experiences and feelings of others. The theory argues that by cultivating this sympathetic connection, individuals can gain insight into the nature of reality and the interconnectedness of all things.
Sympathism emphasizes the role of emotions, particularly sympathy and compassion, in shaping human behavior and understanding. According to this theory, our emotions are not mere responses to external stimuli but rather are grounded in a shared affective resonance with others. Such resonance enables individuals to feel and understand the experiences of others on a deep and empathic level.
In addition to individual emotions and empathy, sympathism also extends to moral philosophy and social relations. It suggests that ethical behavior and social harmony are best achieved through fostering sympathy and recognizing the interdependencies between individuals in society. By promoting understanding, compassion, and shared experiences, sympathism seeks to create a more harmonious and interconnected society.
Overall, sympathism is a philosophical framework that centers on the innate and empathic connection between individuals, emphasizing the role of sympathy and shared experiences in the development of knowledge, emotions, ethics, and sociability.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sympathism" comes from the Greek root "sympatheia", which is a combination of "syn" meaning "together", and "pathos" meaning "feeling" or "suffering". It was first used in English in the mid-17th century to refer to a philosophical doctrine that explained interactions or influences between individuals or objects in terms of sympathetic feelings or affections. The term "sympathism" is used to describe this belief system or approach.