I think the difference between viewing someone as an object and viewing someone as a subject is a matter of the complexity of our representation of them. I guess there is a huge literature with 'subject' and 'object' terminology and people use the terms in quite different ways. I guess I see it as a matter of degree, though. A matter of complexity of representation.

> It is quite possible that I am not able to accept that a human can be endlessly understading, compassionate, etc.

I don't think humans are endlessly understanding, compassionate, etc. Human beings get sick sometimes and at times like that they can become absorbed in their own misery / distress. Human beings can care about things and become distressed when something happens to the things they care about etc.

I don't think that we need endless understanding and compassion.

Just a great deal more of it than we have had so far.

To represent your therapist in a more complex way doesn't take anything away from him. It is kind of about... Representing him in a way that is more realistic. So there is less likely to be hurt and disappointment and the like. It is hard though. I really think that interpersonal relationships are the hardest thing that human beings have to negotiate.