I still have some remaining problems regarding Schopenhauer's idea of compassion. Even more, I feel like the coming up of compassion with others to eliminate one's own will is a sign of egoism. I once had a debate with my friend about compassion through a scene that an old lady sitting at the subway entrance. My friend said to be compassionate with her is to feel her loneliness and coldness sitting in a place where the wind blows in. I objected to her view that what she said was all her imagination of the old lady's situation, which she later subjectified to her. Learning Schopenhauer reminds me of this debate, I become more confused about the line between compassion and overactive imagination. Even though the old lady tells me every detail of her life, my own identity formed by my language and environment would fail me to be compassionate with her. Ultimately, the mental picture I draw cannot exclude the "self." Besides, if exercising other people's will can avoid suffering, what role does our interpretation of reality play in our lives? Does that mean a life without integrity?
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