A compassionate ethos. Suffering as language, listening as politics

Abstract

This article explores the emergence of a "compassionate ethos" in contemporary political discourse, emphasizing an extreme sensitivity to suffering and a unique predisposition to listening. The article argues that, instead of focusing on political institutions, we should understand politics in terms of ethos—a culturally standardized system of emotions and values. This perspective reveals the implicit emotional registers and value systems that constitute the essence of politics. It observes that suffering has transitioned from a private to a public sphere, facilitating the expression of social inequalities and violence. This shift has also legitimized the compassionate ethos, particularly in addressing the issues of marginalized groups such as the poor and immigrants. The article concludes with a reflection on the potential decline of this ethos in favor of a securitarian logic, highlighting the enduring tension between compassion and repression in societal responses to suffering and deviance.