Final answer:
Diego's callousness suggests a lack of regret regarding ignoring someone in need. Yet, literature shows that individuals can experience complex emotions, potentially leading to feelings of regret upon reflection.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Diego callously ignored someone who needed his help, the choice of the word 'callously' suggests a lack of concern or indifference to the distress of others. Given this context, it would be unlikely to say that Diego was probably regretful, as callousness indicates a hardening against feelings such as regret. However, human emotions are complex, and it's possible that upon reflection, Diego might experience some form of regret.
The various scenarios provided from literature show different reactions to similar situations of distress or need. The correspondent in Algiers feels indifferent to the soldier's death much like the indifference of Diego. On the other hand, the reactions from the other passages show empathy, which is the opposite of callousness, such as Cicero's mourning for his daughter or the person who would feel compassion for a child in danger.
Understanding the complexity of human emotions is crucial, and it's possible for someone to initially react callously yet later feel remorse as they process the situation or its consequences, just as Venters invented excuses but still felt remorse for the girl's plight. The quote from the Socratic dialogue suggests that reflection can lead to a deeper understanding and perhaps regret over the past.