Do you agree that movies can be great 'machines that generate empathy'?

Question

Comes from the late great movie critic Roger Ebert. heyy maybe thats why im so empathetic is because i watched sooo many movies lol

VioletHaze · Accepted Answer

I think movies can help you develop your empathy. Empathy is putting yourself in other's shoes rather than simply feeling sorry for them. This requires imagination and some referances to go by. I might not know what its like to be an addict but I've seen this depicted in movies and series. That gives me an idea of what that experience MIGHT be like.

But then again, I could watch movies like split and think I have any grasp on what its like to have DID. It can go both ways. But movies are often a depiction of reality.

And in the end, it is hard to emphasize with a situation we know nothing about.

ElenaSeluna · Accepted Answer

I don’t really see it that way…I think many people in the film industry are very aware of what they’re doing and intentionally add sad, emotionally charged elements to make audiences feel empathy, cry, and reflect on their own sadness…to me, it can feel less like genuine empathy and more like a calculated effort to manipulate emotions. That’s one of the reasons I rarely watch drama movies…I already know they’re designed to create that kind of emotional response….

Maybe_Maybe_not · Accepted Answer

Generates empathy, nope I don't believe that. Feeds pre-existing empathy, as an optional side effect, then yes I do believe movies can do that. But then I wouldn't name movies in the first place, I would name the foundation of this all:  Story telling

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

Empathy is one of those things we can’t afford to lose in this world.
Cinema, literature, music, and other forms of art can and will be vessels for empathy so, let them flourish with human creativity, heart, and spirit.

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

I really agree with Ebert on that 💫

Movies drop you into lives, cultures, and situations you might never experience yourself, and for two hours you feel what those characters feel. That repetition kind of stretches your emotional range over time.

If you’ve watched a ton of movies, it absolutely can shape your empathy. Your brain’s been “practicing” feeling with others 🎬💖

7Phoenix7 · Answer

I think movies can definitely be a way to get someone to feel empathy… depending on the person and the movie…

menina · Answer

I would say that it depends on the movie. Some stories can make you hate humans or hate the way our world works. Those won't help you for sure.

MrChinaski · Answer

Sure can!! That and a little Ludwig van...

Hunter-40m · Answer

Some of them certainly have that effect thinking of the attacks at schools or areas full of civils with no apperant reason committed by some troubled types clearly effected by some movies

rapfan107 · Answer

They make sympathize for the character in the movie

Xawyx-2 · Answer

I guess it depends on the movie.

Do you agree that movies can be great 'machines that generate empathy'?

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Do you agree that movies can be great 'machines that generate empathy'?

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