Summary
Empathy contributes to wellbeing. The neuroscience of empathy includes a robust body of research. Empathy can be learnt and taught. Empathy is important for the survival of the human race in our world. Be inspired and work on developing empathy.
Empathy Contributes to Wellbeing
Wellbeing and empathy are linked. Let’s explore how empathy contributes to wellbeing.
Empathy Defined
Empathy is the ability to appreciate the perspective of someone else, to imagine standing in someone’s shoes and to understand what they may be feeling and thinking.
Take a moment to reflect on that statement.
Empathy requires a person to stop being selfish, stop being self-centered, stop being consumed with their own world. Empathy involves flexing the muscle of stepping out of one’s microworld to acknowledge that someone else experiences the world differently.
Empathy Employed for Community Wellbeing
Empathy may require a certain social capital in the community. In other words, a person who feels no connection to a community may not be invested in preserving, developing, or protecting the wellbeing of a community.
I reference a presentation which I have mentioned more than once in my posts. Listen to the discussion about the dance between affiliation with an in-group versus the relationship with one’s out-group. Recall the UN video about peace and conflict resolution: tapping into social capital, the affiliation one feels with a social group, can allow for the development of prosocial behaviours. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJPHLbipNM)
Thus, we need each other and we need to reach out to each other to ensure everyone is invited into the social contract of engaging with other members of our society. And, our society is a global society, not for political reasons alone. Our society has global connections because we are all human beings. I rephrase: every human being is a member of the human race.
Having empathy is a prosocial activity required to protect the HUMAN RACE. Otherwise, we risk killing each other, kind of like we have been doing.
The Neuroscience of Empathy
Consider listening to the episode of the Social Brain on the Cellular Republic entitled The Neuroscience of Empathy: Mimicking the Minds of Others. Andrew Cooper-Sansone and Taylor Guthrie.
Dr. Steindal interviewed Dr. Trzeciak about the research related to improving the delivery of healthcare services via the use of empathy.
I posit that honing empathy can improve the functioning of our society. Wouldn’t you agree?
Call to Action: Empathy Contributes to Wellbeing
Empathy contributes to wellbeing.
Take a stand for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of society. Commit to learning the skill of empathy and you will gain a virtue to benefit yourself, your community, and the world.
Remember: wellbeing is a process. Listen to Dr. Trzeciak again: “I am a work in progress” in terms of acknowledging that he has time for important things which take a little bit of time spent with another person, to embrace the “nine empathy opportunities” available to each of us every day.
Stand up for empathy. Empathy is not a weakness. That statement is a reflection of a person’s experience of the world. My request to any person who claims empathy is a weakness is simple. Your unwillingness to experience and express empathy should not be confused with the scientific evidence for empathy being a prosocial characteristic which improves our world. Stop broadcasting untruths.
Empathy will save us from self-destruction. Let’s cultivate empathy for the benefit of the world.
Music, of course, to accompany you on the journey to embracing empathy:
Alanis Morissette performing ‘Empathy’
Be safe. Be inspired. Be kind.
Life is too short for shenanigans.
Selected References:
Connie, Elliott. (April 5, 2025). Empathy Is Not a Sign of Weakness. Accessed online on April 6, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYp2z7AIWig&t=480s
Guthrie, T., and Cooper-Sansone, A. (September 3, 2023). The Neuroscience of Empathy: Mimicking the Mind of Others. Episode 26 of The Social Brain from The Cellular Republic. Accessed online on April 6, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMDnI5-avY8
Steindl, Stan. (August 23, 2024). Empathy, kindness & compassion: Keys to better health/Stephen Trzeciak. Accessed online on April 6, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGURD_03SLE
UN Innovation Network. (June 15, 2023). The Neuroscience of Peace and Conflict. Accessed online on March 9, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJPHLbipNM
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your mental health professional team.
If you are having thoughts to hurt yourself or someone else, please CALL 9-1-1; CALL 9-8-8; or GO to the nearest emergency.
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