Defining Empathy

The concept of empathy has received an enormous amount of attention over the past decade. It has appeared increasingly often in the popular press, political campaigns, and in a range of fields, including business, medical practice, ethics, justice, and the law.   

People think of empathy as an innate, fixed trait — a talent that some people are born with, and others lack. But empathy isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. It isn’t something that unfolds automatically, in every situation. It isn’t even a single ability or skill.

Why is empathy so important? 

It inspires us to help family members, friends, and strangers.

It helps us see past differences and allows us to see others who are of a different race or a generation or ideology from our own, without the lens of stereotyping, prejudice, or bias.

But it’s not just others that benefit from empathy — so does the person feeling it. Research shows that people who experience empathy also tend to be less stressed and depressed, more satisfied with their lives, happier in their relationships, and more successful at work.