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Empathy

 


Websters defines Empathy as: “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.” Empathy is what makes us human, though lord knows there are many humans who don’t seem to have any. A person without empathy is like a caveman, only concerned for himself. Selfish. It is a lack of community and by extension, a lack of the need for civilization. The person who lacks empathy can have a bit of community, but only with others exactly like himself.

It seems like societies go through cycles of empathy and less empathy. Sometimes a single event can change the course of society. Prior to America’s involvement in WWII, the general feeling in America was not very empathetic. We had our own problems. We were still dealing with the lingering effects of the Great Depression, and had been for years. That kind of stress makes it hard to think of others. Hitler was slashing through Europe. He and his followers had done some horrible things that Americans knew about (and even more horrible things that he was rumored to have done). But Americans were not convinced it was their fight. Hitler hadn’t hurt them personally. So, the lack of empathy led to an ‘America First’ policy. Let’s not get involved. It’s not our problem. Then Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th and Hitler quickly also declared war on America. American bases were overrun in the Pacific; we were suddenly in the same boat as Europe, fighting a war we did not want. Empathy was forced upon us. We were forced to see the things we had tried to hide from.

Empathy grew for the oppressed. Our eyes were opened. We were able to see what people who had no empathy were capable of. There are numerous examples throughout history.  Lack of empathy leads to a lack of morality and horrors inflicted on others, no matter how they try to dress up their regime as being pious and right. Empathy is taught by all the world’s religions. But whether the practitioners of those religions choose to pay attention is another matter.

When we see empathy in others it tugs at our heartstrings. When we see a child share his favorite treat with a friend who doesn’t have one, when we see a homeless person sharing a crust of bread with a bird, it makes us want to be better people.

Empathy recognizes the humanity of everyone. It is what makes us human.

Star Liner


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