What is empathy? Roman Krznaric, author of Empathy: Why It Matters, and How to Get It, defines empathy as, “the art of stepping imaginatively into the shoes of another person, understanding their feelings and perspectives, and using that understanding to guide your actions.”
Based on studies conducted by neuroscientists, evolutionary biologists, and child psychologists, we know that empathy is an innate human ability. However, empathic response can be blocked when we stereotype others, believe that our perspective is the only correct one, fail to communicate with others, or don’t understand someone else’s feelings.
By Naomi Drew and Christa M. Tinari
