Thank you for providing your perspective, Christina. I appreciate it, though I can't agree with it.

Your words actually make part of my point for me. - Love is about focusing inwardly whereas empathy is about focusing outwardly. In essence, love is about self, desire, reward, satisfaction and etc. whereas empathy is about understanding the feelings, needs, actions, issues and etc. of others.

Respect needs neither what is generally considered love nor empaathy. Respect requires only acceptance & acknowledgment of worth.

As for "the rest of the human condition", it doesn't "stay in between" anything, let alone love or empathy. All aspects of the human condition effect one another, some beneficially and some not so, but they most certainly don't stand on a linear continuum or even in a group with fixed positions.

Take care. Stay safe. ☮️

#borc