In other words, taking on others’ burdens might be built into some people’s brains.Įvidence suggests that empathy really can lessen other people’s burdens. It’s the difference between “Get well soon” and “I can imagine how much discomfort you must be feeling right now.” Some researchers even hypothesize that empaths have hyper-responsive mirror neurons, which react when another person’s behavior is observed. Rather, it is mentally putting yourself in the suffering person’s shoes to feel their pain. Register and find out more here.Į mpathy is not feeling sorry for someone in physical or emotional pain-that’s sympathy. Want to hear more from Arthur? Join him for coffee and conversation at The Atlantic Festival on Friday, September 23. Instead of striving to be more empathetic, we should all try to build on empathy to cultivate its superior cousin: compassion.
Used excessively and on its own, it can bring harm to empathizers and empathizees alike. As virtues go, however, empathy is overrated. In contemporary culture, empathy seems like a fairly unalloyed virtue. The reporter Charlotte Alter dubbed Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign an “empathy offensive,” and if election results are any guide, the strategy paid off. Some argue that leaders should exhibit more empathy to help burned-out workers after the worst of COVID-19.
But the word has since taken on more positive connotations and today might even be worth putting on your résumé as a mark of leadership. The term was coined in a 1956 science-fiction story about unnaturally empathetic beings that are used to exploit workers.
W hen empath first entered the English lexicon, it was anything but a compliment. Click here to listen to his podcast series on all things happiness, How to Build a Happy Life. “ How to Build a Life ” is a weekly column by Arthur Brooks, tackling questions of meaning and happiness.
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