[Mind-numbed Robot]

Though the intellect remains, the moral sense is utterly corrupt. Spiritually healthy men will wonder if such an individual even has a conscience, while others may suspect he has no soul. In a sense, both speculations are correct.

Much agree!

You are talking about empathy, that ability to put oneself in another's situation and feel what they feel. Those without empathy have no conscience or compassion. Following the Golden Rule prevents that.

[Quix]

Very well put.

I think empathy . . . of any significant quality and quantity . . .

also requires

a capacity, willingness and active

SURRENDER.

Insecure and the arrogant arising out of their historic insecurities . . . are incapable/unwilling to surrender.

By surrender in this context, I mean the surrender of one’s own constructions on and priorities vis a vis reality

sufficient

to ‘slip into’ the other person’s skin and realities.

In the first place, OTHERS are too beneath the smugly, self-righteously arrogant for such a white-washed tomb to even contemplate such a refreshing redemptive experience—even if all mental/spiritual.

In the second place, the walking pit of vipers would not have a clue as to the first step toward such an empathetic experience.

So they wander around festering . . . dropping puddles of puss far and wide . . . spewing bile and venom at the slightest excuse . . . all the while congratulating themselves on how brilliant, insightful [what a paradox that is!], knowledgeable and powerful . . . or at least worthy . . . THEY are.

Barf.