01. Criticism Title: Empathy Can Justify Victimhood 1
() Confirmed:
Summary of Criticism: Empathy—especially unchecked—can reinforce feelings of helplessness or passivity, encouraging individuals to remain in a victim stance rather than develop agency.
An Advocate of this Criticism: Joe Rigney (theologian) on "toxic empathy" in sociopolitical contexts
Quote: “Empathy feeds the competitive victimhood mentality that is rampant in our society,” he writes. “The same empathetic logic lies beneath the societal indulgence of criminality that particularly plagues progressive cities (always provided that the criminal is a member of some aggrieved group), as well as the empathetic paralysis that prevents western nations from wisely and justly addressing the challenges of both legal and illegal immigration. "
Link to the Quote: The Guardian
Comments: This criticism would be Perpetuating the Victim Role in the Drama Triangle. In the Drama Triangle context, this aligns with how empathy can be weaponized to reinforce a Victim identity.
Response: