"Compassion has no place in the natural order of the world which operates on the basis of necessity. Compassion opposes this order and is therefore best thought of as being in some way supernatural"

John Berger's quote explores the idea of empathy as an entity that stands apart from the natural order, which he defines as being driven by need. In the natural world, survival typically depends upon competitors, adaptation, and the callous choice of the fittest. This truth is governed by the concept that every action and impulse is geared toward survival and recreation. In contrast, empathy is a generous emotion that prioritizes the well-being of others, sometimes at the expenditure of one's own survival. Berger recommends that because compassion does not straight add to the natural imperatives of survival and procreation, it sticks out as an anomaly, practically as if it were supernatural.

Compassion is, therefore, portrayed as a transcendent quality that introduces components of compassion, selflessness, and self-sacrifice into a world otherwise dominated by survival impulses. By explaining compassion as "supernatural", Berger elevates it beyond mere human behavior to a more extensive, potentially even spiritual, level. This aligns with various religious and philosophical perspectives that see empathy as a divine or morally elevated characteristic. It defies the "law of the jungle" by showing care and issue for others, despite their utility or benefit to oneself.

Moreover, Berger's contemplation invites reflection on the human capability to defy natural instincts through conscious choice. This suggests that human beings possess the unique ability to transcend their biological imperatives. In thinking about compassion as supernatural, one can see it as a beacon of hope and ethical development, a force that mitigates the cruelty of natural laws with compassion and humankind.

In summary, John Berger's quote challenges us to see compassion as an extraordinary defiance of the natural order. It is a celebration of the human spirit's capacity for empathy and moral option, painting it as a practically otherworldly attribute that enriches human existence.