We have highlighted the importance of seeing the problem for what it is via the tale of the Emperors New Clothes, which represents the collective denial and double standards which are often a feature of social life. The apath in this context is someone who is willing to be blind: ie, not to see that the emperor/empress is naked. ... Apaths are often fearful people. They are the ones most likely to go with the flow, to agree that the emperor/empress is wearing new clothes. They might also fail to perceive the threat: a danger is of no importance if you deny its existence. An apaths response to a sociopaths call to arms can then result from a state of learned helplessness. Apaths behave defenselessly because they want to avoid unpleasant or harmful circumstances [including the sociopath turning on them]. Apathy is an avoidance strategy.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:33:10 +0000