It’s probably never occurred to you, but compassion can have a curious downside.So finally, such emotional discomfort is perhaps best regarded, paradoxically, as the downside of compassion. And it should be emphasized that it’s generall…

When someone is suffering, it can be agonizing just to listen—we feel compelled to jump in with advice or stories of our own trials, filling any awkward space or moments of silent air with word upon word. The first rule of empathy, however, is li…

Tolerance develops when empathy is encouraged, because it allows a child – or adult – to enter the shoes of anotherMy own research about tolerance to human diversity, using dilemmas about colour, creed and culture, found that empathy, …

To mark World Refugee Day on 20 June 2015, the British Council’s Emily Reynolds looks at why empathy is so important and how teachers can help children develop the ability.What it means to empathiseow would I respond if I …