engleski

Epigenetic imprint of "compassionate society" triggered by vulnerability and mental illnesses

Epigenetics investigates connection between our genes and our environment. It has been hypothesized that certain conditions we experience can influence our gene expression and can probably be passed onto our children, transgenerational transfer of trauma being one of them. We postulate that the notion of compassion has also been passed on from one generation to another. Our ancestors discovered that groups have a higher chance of survival than individuals. Thus, psychological traits that help form social cohesion, like compassion, are proven beneficial and passed onto the next generation. However, our perception of compassion has changed through time. In the beginning, it was expressed as a feeling of sympathy for the vulnerable, for example the elderly, the sick, pregnant women and children. These groups were innately perceived as deserving compassion. As our social awareness grew, so did the list of vulnerable groups, including members of different races, sexual or gender orientations, etc. Over time, a shift in the way we feel compassion has occurred. Nowadays, it almost seems like only those belonging to a vulnerable group are justified to feel suffering or oppression. At the same time, the suffering of those who do not belong to these exclusive vulnerable groups is marginalized. Mental illnesses like anxiety or depression are trivialized if the person in question is perceived as being privileged (in any sense), while at the same time, they are seen as warning signs if the person suffering is vulnerable. If one truly needs attention, help, or both, the easiest way is to declare oneself vulnerable. If this trend continues, we postulate that a lack of compassion in our modern society will have an impact on future societies as well. Through transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, this can create future societies whose sense of compassion will be shaped only by the definition/perception of those who are currently perceived as vulnerable.

compassion ; epigenetics ; mental illness ; society ; vulnerability

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