Gad Saad cautions that misguided compassion is causing the decline of Western society.

Western Civilization at Risk, Says Author Gad Saad

In the wake of the October 7th Hamas attack, author and scholar Gad Saad raises alarms about the state of Western civilization. His new book, *Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind*, argues that a misplaced sense of compassion sometimes overshadows truth and common sense.

“Empathy isn’t inherently bad, but like Aristotle suggested, all good things should be practiced in moderation,” Saad explained in a recent discussion.

He elaborated that lacking empathy can lead someone to psychopathy, whereas having too much—especially if misplaced—can lead to what he terms “suicidal empathy.” This phenomenon became apparent in the reactions following the October 7 massacre in Israel, where the criticism of Israel’s military response seemed to overshadow the sympathy for the victims.

Saad expressed disbelief, noting, “You’d think the horrific murder of 1,200 people, mostly Jews, would elicit global empathy. But soon it seemed like October 7 was brushed aside.” According to him, the backlash against Israel reflects a deeper ideological transformation that’s been brewing for decades.

He equates this misplaced sympathy to “civilized seppuku,” a term referring to the ritual suicide of samurai in Japan. Saad asserts that these ideas, which he traces back to college campuses, have seeped into broader culture, affecting definitions of fundamental concepts like gender.

Citing a notable incident during Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing, where she refrained from defining “woman,” he criticized the lack of common understanding. “It’s absurd. Most people can recognize basic realities without needing a degree,” he stated.

Saad argued that such attitudes, if left unchecked, could normalize anti-Semitism through a distorted worldview. “A society that embraces hatred towards Jews is demonstrating clear signs of moral decline,” he remarked. He shared personal experiences, having fled Lebanon with his family during the civil war and noted how anti-Semitic sentiments in Canada have surged since the late 1990s.

Now a scholar at a university, Saad plans to take a leave of absence in 2024 as he reflects on the current atmosphere for Jewish professors. He stressed the seriousness of rising hatred, saying, “Allowing such overt genocide against any group will lead to disastrous outcomes.”

Although some might think the ideas surrounding DEI and gender theory waned following Donald Trump’s election, Saad cautioned that real cultural shifts take longer than political cycles. He continues to see hesitance among fellow academics to voice their opinions. Many have found him but request anonymity in their feedback on his work.