Empathy is a fragile quality. For instance, were SS guards in Nazi concentration camps capable of empathy?

Are people who promote war capable of empathy? War is ultimately a series of atrocities against innocent people, after all. Are people who promote a boycott against Cuba capable of empathy? After all, the embargo didn't affect the privileged, was devastating to the average Jose. Any empathy there? Of course not. Are people who would deny medical care to the less fortunate capable of empathy?

Of course not. They may have a bit of affection for their closest relatives, but as far as any identification with the larger nameless masses it's not there.

Oh, they may feel a stirring if they see a picture of an abused child, that might count for a very little.

Entire political agendae are defined by a lack of empathy. "Hooray for me and the hell with you." What is fortunate for those people is that they lack insight and introspection, cannot see that in themselves and usually consider themselves quite generous. "Oh what give the genie gie us - - - "