Elon Musk
Video:
Elon Musk on Empathy for Criminals vs. Victims and Shifting Political Views | 2024
Joe Rogan Experience #2281 - Suicidal Empathy
Musk: (references Gad Saad,) "And he talks about, you know, basically suicidal empathy. Like, if there's, like, there's so much empathy that you actually suicide yourself, yeah, so that we've got civilizational suicidal empathy going on. And it's like, I believe in empathy, like I think you should care about other people, but you need to have empathy for civilization as a whole, and not commit to a civilizational suicide.
Rogan: "don't let someone use your empathy against you so they can completely control your state and then do it insanely bad job of managing it and never get removed."
Musk: There's the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy. The Empathy exploit. It's they're exploiting a bug in western civilization, which is the empathy response. So, and I think, you know, empathy is good, but you need to think it through and not just be
Rogan: programmed like a robot, right? Understand when empathy has been actually used as a tool, a tool. Yes,
Rogan: it's weaponized empathy. Yeah, is the issue? Yeah, weaponized empathy and, yeah, and
CNN: Elon Musk wants to save Western civilization from empathy
"“We’ve got civilizational suicidal empathy going on,” Musk said, borrowing the term from Gad Saad, a Canadian scholar who is also a frequent Rogan host.
While Musk said he believes in empathy and that “you should care about other people,” he also thinks it’s destroying society.
“The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy, the empathy exploit,” Musk said. “There it’s they’re exploiting a bug in Western civilization, which is the empathy response.”
Empathy, he said, has been “weaponized.”"
Give me a report on what Elon Musk thinks about Empathy?
Based on available information, including statements from interviews, podcasts, and posts on X, Elon Musk’s thoughts on empathy reveal a nuanced and multifaceted perspective. He does not reject empathy outright but views it as a quality that must be carefully balanced with rationality and pragmatism, particularly when it comes to its societal implications. Below is a report summarizing his stance, drawing from various sources and sentiments expressed over time.
Musk’s General View on Empathy
Elon Musk has expressed a belief that empathy is a valuable human trait but one that can become problematic when misapplied or taken to extremes. He distinguishes between what he calls "shallow empathy" and "deep empathy," suggesting that the former can lead to misguided decisions, while the latter reflects a more thoughtful consideration of broader consequences. For instance, in posts on X, Musk has argued that "shallow empathy is caring about criminals" while "deep empathy is caring about the victims of criminals," indicating that he prioritizes empathy directed toward those harmed over those who cause harm.
In a broader context, Musk has suggested that empathy should not override practical considerations or strength. In a post responding to Gad Saad in March 2024, he wrote, "A future with more empathy would be wonderful, but this can only be done from a position of strength. If the weak favor empathy, but the strong do not, the weak will be enslaved or killed," referencing the historical example of the pacifist Moriori. This highlights his view that empathy, while desirable, must be tempered by a realistic assessment of power dynamics and survival.
Empathy as a Societal Weakness
Musk has been vocal about his concerns regarding empathy as a potential liability for Western civilization, a theme he expanded on during a February 2025 interview with Joe Rogan. He described empathy as "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization," particularly when it is "exploited" or weaponized for political purposes. He tied this to his belief in a conspiracy theory that Democrats are using empathy to garner support for policies—such as leniency toward undocumented immigrants—that he claims threaten societal stability. He labeled this "civilizational suicidal empathy," borrowing a term from Gad Saad, and argued that excessive empathy can undermine a society’s ability to protect itself.
This perspective aligns with Musk’s broader critique of policies he perceives as prioritizing individual compassion over collective well-being. For example, he has pointed to California’s provision of medical insurance to undocumented immigrants as an instance where empathy for individuals comes at the expense of the greater good, stating in the Rogan interview, "We’ve got civilizational suicidal empathy going on."
Empathy in Personal and Leadership Contexts
Observations from those close to Musk, including his biographer Walter Isaacson and his brother Kimbal Musk, suggest that empathy is not his natural strength on an interpersonal level. Isaacson, who shadowed Musk for three years, noted in a 2023 CNBC interview that Musk "does not have a fingertip feel for empathy, emotions," contrasting this with his exceptional engineering abilities. Isaacson further described Musk as having "more empathy for humanity in general than he often has for the 20 people around him," indicating a disconnect between Musk’s abstract care for humanity’s future and his interactions with individuals.
Kimbal Musk echoed this in a 2021 Time magazine interview, calling Elon a business "savant" but adding, "his gift is not empathy with people." This is reflected in accounts of Musk’s leadership style, where he is described as demanding and sometimes dismissive of individual concerns—such as firing employees abruptly or pushing teams to extremes—while pursuing grand goals like saving humanity through Tesla, SpaceX, or Twitter.
Empathy in Specific Scenarios
Musk has applied his views on empathy to specific issues, notably immigration and criminal justice:
Immigration: In an August 2024 X post, Musk stated that empathy toward immigrants with "antithetical and intransigent beliefs" could lead to "civilizational suicide," suggesting that unchecked empathy in this context is a strategic error.
Criminal Justice: He has repeatedly criticized what he sees as excessive empathy for criminals, arguing in posts on X that "there’s a lack of empathy for the victims of criminals and too much empathy for the criminals." He believes this imbalance leads to policies—like releasing repeat violent offenders—that harm society.
Musk’s Self-Perception and Neurodiversity
Musk’s perspective on empathy may be influenced by his self-disclosed diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum that can affect social and emotional processing. While he has not directly linked this to his views on empathy, it has been cited by others—like biographer Ashlee Vance—as a possible factor in his "weirdest kind of empathy," where he cares deeply about humanity’s survival (e.g., colonizing Mars) but struggles with interpersonal emotional connection.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s thoughts on empathy are complex and context-dependent. He values empathy as a concept—particularly when directed toward humanity as a whole or victims of harm—but warns against its overuse or misapplication in ways that he believes weaken society. He sees it as a potential exploit, especially in political or cultural contexts, and prioritizes rational decision-making and strength over unbridled compassion. Personally, Musk is described as lacking natural interpersonal empathy, a trait that aligns with his intense focus on ambitious, world-changing goals rather than individual relationships. His stance reflects a blend of philosophical critique, pragmatic leadership, and personal disposition, shaped by his experiences and worldview as of March 7, 2025.
Elon Musk has some strong opinions on empathy, particularly its role in society. During a recent interview with Joe Rogan, Musk expressed his belief that empathy, while important, can be detrimental to Western civilization when taken to extremes. He referred to this as "civilizational suicidal empathy". Musk argued that empathy for individuals can be costly to the collective and that it has been "weaponized" to exploit a perceived weakness in Western civilization.
Musk's views on empathy are part of a broader perspective on societal and governmental issues. He has been critical of various government programs and policies, suggesting that they often prioritize empathy at the expense of efficiency and effectiveness. Despite his criticisms, Musk has also acknowledged the importance of caring for others, but he believes that empathy should be balanced with practicality and long-term thinking.
It's worth noting that Musk's views on empathy have sparked considerable debate and discussion, reflecting the complexity and nuance of this topic.
: [MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/elon-musk-wants-to-save-western-civilization-from-empathy/ar-AA1Akumj)
: [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/elon-musk-joe-rogan-interview-023484)
Elon Musk's perspective on empathy is multifaceted, reflecting both his personal beliefs and leadership style.
Empathy in Leadership:
Musk has demonstrated empathy toward his employees, particularly concerning workplace safety. In a notable email addressing injury rates at Tesla factories, he expressed deep concern for his team's well-being:
"No words can express how much I care about your safety and wellbeing. It breaks my heart when someone is injured building cars and doing their best to make Tesla successful."
However, some critiques suggest that Musk's approach to empathy in leadership may be inconsistent. For instance, during significant layoffs at Twitter, observers noted a perceived lack of empathetic communication, highlighting the complexities in his leadership style.
Personal Reflections on Empathy:
Musk has shared insights distinguishing between "shallow" and "deep" empathy. He argues that society often misplaces empathy, focusing more on perpetrators than victims:
"We need to have empathy that is deep, not shallow. Shallow empathy is caring about criminals; deep empathy is caring about the victims of criminals."
This perspective emphasizes prioritizing the well-being of victims over offenders.
Biographical Observations:
Biographer Walter Isaacson, who spent three years observing Musk, noted that while Musk possesses exceptional engineering skills, he may lack a natural inclination toward empathy:
"I think that he does not have a fingertip feel for, you know, empathy, emotions."
This observation suggests that Musk's empathetic responses might be more intellectual than instinctual.
Conclusion:
Elon Musk's views on empathy are complex. He has shown concern for employee welfare and advocates for a deeper societal empathy that prioritizes victims. However, critiques and biographical accounts indicate that his empathetic engagement may vary, reflecting a balance between his analytical mindset and emotional intelligence.
For a deeper insight into Musk's thoughts on empathy, you might find this video informative: