And really whats wrong with being 'self absorbed'. There is after all a 'virtue of selfishness'.
Were does the law decree that I must (or even should) have a high "empathy" (maybe?)
If i have sick friend, and I take them to the hospital, didn't I do the right thing. Isn't possible, that (lets say a heroin users) does not stick around to stay with a friend at the hospital, out of fear of being arrested? Because of engagement in illegal activity, rather than a 'lack of empathy'?
When people drink or do drugs the tendency is to become even more self-absorbed than we already are. We tend to loose our apathy and increase our inability to relate to another human being.
I'm still scratching my head wondering whats wrong with 'loosing apathy'. (And would contend that a fair amount of self absorption is healthy)