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| Empathy | ||
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Sympathy & empathy
Most people have some idea of what sympathy and empathy mean. But are they correct?
Sympathy
Somebody suffers a grievance and people send their condolences.
This is the general notion of 'sympathy' - a show of respect and comradeship.
Empathy
People usually interpret 'empathy' to mean that they are actually
sharing the same emotions as somebody else. Is this even possible?
Counsellor Troi
In the 1980's sci-fi show Star Trek: The Next Generation, an alien
woman called Counsellor Deanna Troi possessed telepathic abilities.
She couldn't hear other character's thoughts but she could experience their
emotions.
The important point here is that Counsellor Troi is a fictional character
and her emotional telepathy is make-believe...
Her ability to share other people's emotions is sci-fi fantasy.
An example
Let's explore sympathy and empathy... We can use a simple example - your friend has lost their job and needs to find a
new one.
What is sympathy?
Your friend has lost their job.
You can quite easily and readily see the problems
they are facing.
They need to find a new job, they have bills to pay, a mortgage to cover, food
to buy and many other financial responsibilities.
The job market is uncertain. It is competitive. They may not be able to find
work or earn what they are accustomed to.
Intellectual
Recognising these concerns intellectually is 'sympathy'.
You see the problems, the pitfalls and the
struggles ahead of them.
It is easy to see that life may be hard for them in the short-term and they may
be facing long-term difficulties.
What is empathy?
Empathy is the realisation that losing their job will be causing your
friend stress and upset.
They may feel insecure, vulnerable, volatile,
frustrated, redundant, useless...
Their behaviour
may be erratic and confused.
Rather than expect them to be themselves, you realise that things have changed
for them.
It is likely to be a time of emotional
turmoil.
Seeing the situation
Sympathy enables us to intellectually
grasp the situation and see how it presents all manner
of problems.
Empathy is about seeing that your friend is likely to need emotional support,
help and understanding.
Implicating yourself
Most people seem to think that sympathy and empathy are about 'relating
to' the other person's predicament.
As though you are an expert-by-experience...
This is foolish. And presumptive.
Imagine that a person loses their job and feels relieved to be finally free of
an unpleasant work situation. Another individual may feel suicidal.
We are all different. One size does not fit all.
Assuming that everyone responds to situations the same way is somewhat naive.
Assuming that the situation is even the same is problematic.
It is not about you
Besides... it is not about you.
You are not the one in pain. You are not the one who is struggling.
Your friend is.
Making everything about you is not sympathetic at all. Nor a show of empathy.
You are merely thinking about yourself and how you would feel.
Are you an empath?
Counsellor Troi was an empath. She could feel other people's emotions.
Can you really make the same claim? Are you a fictional telepathic sci-fi alien
TV character? No.
You are a human being.
Drama queen?
The best way that you can show sympathy and empathy is to remember that it is
not about you. It is about the other person.
Pay attention to their situation. Their problems.
Their needs.
Don't make it all about you.
Compassion
Compassion arises when you stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about
the other person.
Having an emotional response is fine
providing it is in reference to the other person's situation rather than about
you.
Let your emotions guide you down
a path of kindness and consideration.
Page created
18 April 2005
Last updated
04 May 2023
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