This explains some things (Ideological differences in the expanse of the moral circle):
Do clashes between ideologies reflect policy differences or something more fundamental? The present research suggests they reflect core psychological differences such that liberals express compassion toward less structured and more encompassing entities (i.e., universalism), whereas conservatives express compassion toward more well-defined and less encompassing entities (i.e., parochialism).
Heatmaps indicating highest moral allocation by ideology, Study 3a. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Note. The highest value on the heatmap scale is 20 units for liberals, and 12 units for conservatives. Moral circle rings, from inner to outer, are described as follows: (1) all of your immediate family, (2) all of your extended family, (3) all of your closest friends, (4) all of your friends (including distant ones), (5) all of your acquaintances, (6) all people you have ever met, (7) all people in your country, (8) all people on your continent, (9) all people on all continents, (10) all mammals, (11) all amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish, and birds, (12) all animals on earth including paramecia and amoebae, (13) all animals in the universe, including alien lifeforms, (14) all living things in the universe including plants and trees, (15) all natural things in the universe including inert entities such as rocks, (16) all things in existence
My guess is both the political left and right will see this, agree with it, and claim moral superiority over their political opponents.
Here is the interpretation from someone on the right:
Psychology is interesting in a frightening sort of way.
My takeaway is there is no compromise between the viewpoints. One might as well try to find an acceptable compromise between a murdering rapist and their intended victim.
I need my underground bunker in Idaho to be complete.
You’re not reading the graph correctly. As noted in the comments on the thread, this is a graph of scope of empathy, not intensity of empathy. According to this (and I’m dubious this is even valid data) liberals care about a broader range of things than conservatives do, but is says nothing about *how much* they care about those things. You need a separate graph to show intensity of caring by circle to draw the conclusion the meme-maker is drawing.
Put another way: I care about x, y, and z, you only care about x and y. We may both care about x equally much, I just add z to my list of things to care about.
Axe-grinding at its best.