A duty of sympathy

Joseph Ratzinger, in his preface to Jesus of Nazareth, emphasizes the need for sympathy in understanding differing viewpoints. He argues that without affection, true comprehension is impossible, and that disagreement should not be viewed as a virtue in itself. The article reflects on the decline of empathy in contemporary discourse, suggesting that the distinction between sinner and sin, as articulated by Augustine, has been lost. This has led to a culture where opposing views are seen as threats rather than opportunities for dialogue. The author laments that today, the foreigner is often our fellow citizen, and calls for a return to Ratzinger's plea for a presumption of goodwill towards those who disagree with us, highlighting the importance of understanding rather than mere opposition.