Discuss....
“Classical philosophers regarded mercy and pity as pathological emotions-defects of the character to be avoided by all rational men. Since mercy involves providing unearned help or relief, it was contrary to justice. Therefore 'mercy indeed is not governed by reason at all,' and humans must learn 'to curb the impulse'; 'the cry of the undeserving for mercy' must go 'unanswered'...'Pity was a defect of character unworthy of the wise and excusable only in those who have not yet grown up. It was an impulsive response based on ignorance.'” Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity (Princeton: 1996), p. 212.