Abstract

SANTOS, Manoel Antônio dos  and  OKAMOTO, Mary Yoko. Metapsychological roots of compassion. Rev. Subj. [online]. 2024, vol.24, n.2, e13902.  Epub Mar 09, 2026. ISSN 2359-0769.  https://doi.org/10.5020/23590777.rs.v24i2.e13902.

Based on conceptual distinctions between compassion, sympathy, empathy, and pity, we propose a theoretical psychoanalytic understanding of the meanings of the ability to sympathize with the suffering of others. The reflections led us to ask: how can we understand compassion from a psychoanalytic point of view? To theoretically articulate this issue, we resort to the Freudian conceptual framework in search of historical and philosophical roots of compassion, recovering meanings, semantic domains, values, affections, and sensitivities. We undertake a journey that identifies the vicissitudes of the transformation of the psychic apparatus in dealing with the threats of the death drive. In this aspect, we include the work of compassion, defined as the possibility of sharing the suffering of others, enhancing conditions that can strengthen the stitching of narcissistic contours on more mature bases, dignifying the work of Eros, and placing narcissism at the service of life. We conclude that the psychoanalytic understanding of compassion requires an attitude of availability to welcome and listen to those facing a disruptive moment, considering feelings arising from this situation. The implications and developments for thinking about the responses of psychoanalytic clinics to contemporary sources of suffering are addressed.

Keywords : Psychoanalysis; compassion; empathy; narcissism; bond.

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