1.

Introduction

One can only truly find their purpose and limitations by learning about others.
Outrospection, a socio-political ideology, is a method of gaining self-awareness
through the development of relationships and exploration of the lives of other people
and their culture. The concept is recognized as a 21st century development of an older
form of becoming aware of our skills and strengths, also known as introspection.
Unlike introspection, outrospection allows us to understand how our skills and
strengths are important to the world by integrating it into a context. Outrospection can
be seen as a socio-ideology because it is developing the minds of individuals and
transgressing many suppressing forces. The essay will argue why the development of
outrospection is an important factor in bringing about a new world order. The argument
will be supported by, how the socio-political ideology has originated and its current
effect on society, how outrospection can affect a social-injustice like gender inequality,
an elaboration on how empathetic relationships are important, and explain how the
ideology will improve the art of living. However, others find the concept debatable and
believe that outrospection can lead to altruism, but there is a solution.

2. The origin of outrospection and the vision

Outrospection is a concept that occurred in the 21st century, allowing oneself to

discover and find their purpose in the world by becoming empathetic with other
individuals (KRznaRIc, 2010). Empathy is the force behind outrospection. Empathy
refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another; also, developing
an individuals way of thinking, and improving relationships between humans. Empathy
can be divided into two groups. Cognitive and affective. Cognitive empathy is a method
in which an individual consciously recognizes and relates to the emotions of another;
whilst affective empathy, an individual unconsciously relates to another. Additionally,
outrospection is not only limited to a relationship between two individuals, but rather a
collective one as well.
Empathy can be dangerous if it is neglected. An example of this is, South African
universities face protests due to the fact that not all individuals, mainly the less
fortunate, are capable of attending due to the lack of financial support and sort to
disruptive methods of tertiary education as the government, as well the South African
Broadcasting Commission (SABC) that announced that it will no longer air stories
about violent protests to reduce publicity (Institute for Security Studies, 2016),
indicating the lack of empathy with the needs of current and prospective students. The
aforementioned example is a minor form of the outcomes of empathetic negligence,
because riskier implications could occur on a larger scale. The vision of outrospection
is to create bonds between individuals in power and the less-fortunate, and to improve
society as a whole by relating to the issues that the other faces. The exposure to other
individuals allows one to discover their purpose by learning the needs of another in an
empathetic manner.

3. Empathy affects individuals and groups

Empathy is not only the ability to relate one-to-one, it is also collective. Groups are
formed by a variety of characteristics, such as: religion, culture, gender, race and even
intellectuality. Additionally, it will be shown how empathy has affected a womans place
in society. Women empowerment is a slow growing force on a world-wide scale
(United Nations, 2015). A concern that has existed for years is the social injustice of
gender inequality that women are faced with in the workplace, also known as the
glass ceiling. The glass ceiling refers to the barrier that keeps women from rising up
corporate ladders, regardless of their achievements and qualifications. However, in
the 21st century there has been much change in the masculine force in the world of
business. Women are rising into positions that were once an unattainable vision (Beck,
2012). Outrospection has allowed women empowerment in the workplace according
to Catalyst, an organization that increases the development of women in the
workplace, has statistically recorded the percentage of women on corporate boards in
Norway and Sweden (developed countries) to be 46.7% and 33.6% respectively
(Catalyst, 2017). The governments have included themselves, through outrospection,
by changing laws that is reforming a womans place in society.
 4. Empathetic relationships are important to satisfy needs

The relationship between individuals of a country and political decision making, should
work hand-in-hand (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, 2003). In order for a
political decision to have a greater effect on the individuals in the country, the decision-
makers should be aware of their capabilities and what exactly it is they are trying to
affect in communities. The creation of an empathetic relationship between
communities and government are important because it will change the countrys
economy. Government must be aware of what individuals needs are and how the
issues faced can be fixed. An example, if basic services such as primary and
secondary education are inaccessible for majority of communities due to costs, then
the government could make the school fees of poorer communities free and subsidize
the schools. A strong relationship between government and communities show
leadership, integrity and trust in which the two groups can view the positives and
negatives of certain decisions (KRznaRIc, 2010). In return, the individuals of the
communities have access to education and have many opportunities. In the future,
those communities will improve the countrys workforce and contribute towards the
economy. Thus, higher power decision making can be measured by the amount of
lives that has been changed.

5. Outrospection can lead to enlightenment

Outrospection holds many benefits if it can be used to better the lives of individuals
other than oneself. The world is continuously changing and as decision-makers must
be aware of the limitations and future. Many past methods have changed or have been
completely eradicated due to means of change. In this case, change would refer to the
difficulties that individuals face and the improvement or change on the matter. An
example of a previous methodology being eradicated is slavery; slavery was affective
to some extent, however, leaders took a stance and illustrated why it was wrong as it
was the exploitation of another human being, which affected economies, but also
improved the lives of many individuals whom suffered to slavery by providing freedom.
Ultimately, it contributed towards the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Nanda,
Bassiouni, 1972). The increased levels of empathy between individuals, also
increases the understanding. Outrospection is clear, that it develops ones
understanding of their capabilities and the ability to help others.
 6. Outrospection An environment triggering altruism

Empathy can be dangerous if it results in a trigger for altruistic behaviour. Altruism is

when an individual believes that the well-being of others should be equal or more
important of those of oneself. Additionally, altruism causes selfless acts by putting the
welfare of others before ones own, to illustrate, Max Nisen, a writer for Business
Insider, stated that employees that were caught in fraudulent activities often supported
their actions as a need to help family members. Empathy can be the cause of many
criminal activities because some individuals will put the needs of others first and
therefore protect that individual or group. Empathy can even lead to hatred of a
specific individual, group or entity; even if the one empathizing has no relationship or
is unaffected. And that is the danger. The development of hatred because of putting
anothers needs before ones own. Thus, altruistic behavior is a dangerous trigger
caused by empathy.

However, even if empathy triggers altruistic behavior, it is not always a negative

trigger. Relating back to the example of the eradication of slavery in the past. It was
not the slaves that demonstrated the rough lifestyle and inhumane treatment that they
experienced. It was the masters and leaders that empathized with those slaves. The
leaders did not live as slaves, yet took a stance on behalf of them. Many times, a
minority can exist in a large quantity, but cannot express or make a change due to the
past beliefs and laws that have been set in place. An altruistic behavior is especially
important in a context where a minority needs the help of others.

7. Conclusion
From this we see that outrospection is a socio-ideology that has the capability of
affecting the past beliefs like gender inequality and creating empathetic relationships
that can cause change, as well as the improvement of the lives of those who cannot
escape the grasp of past events. Some individuals may believe otherwise, but the
outcome can be positive or negative. Ultimately, outrospection is a form of power and
how an individual can incorporate their capabilities into an environment that often
needs a helping hand.
References
Beck, M. (2012). Finding You Way in a Wild New World: Reclaim Your True Nature to Create the Life
You Want. New York: Free Press, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York.

Catalyst. (2017, March 16). Women On Corporate Boards Globally. Retrieved from Catalyst:
http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/women-corporate-boards-globally

Cherry, K. (2016, May 10). What Is Altruism? Retrieved from VeryWell:

https://www.verywell.com/what-is-altruism-2794828

Institute for Security Studies. (2016, June 21). This is what's driving angry South Africans to violent
protests. Retrieved from Business Tech:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/general/127489/this-is-whats-driving-angry-south-africans-
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Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition. (2003, May). Communities and Local Government: Working
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United Nations, 2015. The World's Women 2015: Trends and Statistics. New York: United Nations,
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