The Cost of Compassion

Re:CONSIDERING invites you to look at what's familiar from an unfamiliar angle. To consider how we consider things - and how to do it better.Who's in favour of compassion? Who's against it? Hardly anyone. Across political divides, religious traditions, and cultural backgrounds, compassion is universally praised. It's seen as a moral good, something we should all aspire to. Yet, despite this widespread agreement, our world remains scarred by conflict, inequality, and deep suffering. If we all value compassion so highly, why do we struggle so much to live it out?In his thought-provoking contribution, Tim Costello explores this tension. From the streets of St Kilda to the slums of Delhi, he traces real stories of hardship and hope. Drawing on voices as varied as Plato, Nietzsche, the Dalai Lama, Peter Singer, and even Seinfeld, he challenges us to see compassion not just as a feeling, but as a choice - often a difficult and costly one.Through the parable of the Good Samaritan and modern-day dilemmas, Costello urges us to reconsider what compassion demands of us, and whether we're truly willing to pay the price. He appeals to our common humanity - and takes an unflinching look at how costly compassion can be.