There has been quite a bit of conversation about empathy over the past few years. Studies show its benefits in improving relationships, team dynamics and the social development of our children.
At the same time, a body of research reveals that empathy often fails when needed most, like after large scale disasters and with people who are not the same race or background as us. A recent New York Times article entitled “Empathy is Actually a Choice” reveals an interesting and important aspect of the emotion, which can explain some of its perceived failures: empathy is only limited to the extent that we, ourselves, choose to limit it.
The article walks through a number of studies that expose our ability to choose when we employ empathy
