'Suicidal Empathy': Is the West Committing Suicide-by-Compassion? This concept of suicidal empathy unfortunately does not work. What we observe, however, in many people, is a highly selective empathy, precisely the opposite of caring about everyone. In short: selective empathy -- with selective hostility or indifference nearby -- is not "higher", "purer" or "more universal". What we observe, however, in many people, is a highly selective empathy, precisely the opposite of caring about everyone.