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Empathy

O

Outlier

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This came up recently while with a group of friends, and I thought it would make an interesting discussion for us here as well.

Do we think empathy can be taught, or is it inborn?
 
How about considering it is not a choice between nature and nurture?
More of a combination , and differences depend on life experiences?
 
Hmm... I have never been able to feel someone else's pain as my own, but in general I understand quite well what feelings a person next to me and I have always been able to provide good moral support precisely because I did not merge with someone else's suffering.
 
I don't personally see empathy as merging with another person and/or their feelings, rather an understanding that they feel this way even though I don't. It can be even more upsetting for some people in certain circumstances to hear "I know how you feel" when of course they probably don't. However, allowing them to feel they are heard is good.

Others may see empathy as something else. That's the value of discussion, to share others' opinions and experiences.
 
For me empathy has come from personal experiences and understanding, and also with age too. I did not understand what empathy was before that, I knew what sympathy was, but not empathy.

That's my two cents worth :)
 
I think its inborn plus life experiences
 
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