Empathy

Aim - Alex Peters Empathy is "a reactive response that is compassionate and caring towards another's suffering…" (Agosta). For example, if an individual comes upon a family who has lost a beloved one he or she would also share some of the suffering because he or she is caring towards the family, meaning that he or she is empathizing for them. This is relevant to humans in general because its ultimate purpose is to provide genuine happiness. Dalai Lama states that "our innate capacity for empathy…lead to happiness both for ourselves and others" (Lama 77). Happiness becomes the result of empathy because of several reasons. As we as humans show compassion to others we become closer to one another, which allows us to connect. Once that connection is made, there will be many pleasant memories in the future. Also, if empathy is practiced by the individual, their ethics will improve greatly and their overall happiness will improve as well. Essentially, the main purpose for practicing empathy is to obtain happiness by improving your ethics and forming strong bonds with other individuals.

Works Cited Agosta, Lou. "Empathy and Sympathy in Ethics." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 24 Mar. 2011. Web. Lama, Dalai. Ethics For The New Millenium. New York: Riverhead, 1999. 77. Print.

Audience- Noah Gabrielsen Empathy is not limited to a particular audience. Instead, it is open for just about any individual to experience. The word itself is open to interpretation in many different ways, stemming from the Greek word pathos. “ ‘Pathos’ in turn means to suffer in the sense of to endure, to undergo, or to be at the effect of” (Agosta). From this, empathy does not have a specific requirement or target. Anyone can feel or be a recipient of empathy. As noted above, empathy is any action that shows compassion to another. Most, if not all, human beings are capable of feeling some sort of compassion. Psychology Today claims that this is entirely natural and an innate part of the human mind, specifically the right supramarginal gyrus. “This area of the brain helps us to distinguish our own emotional state from that of other people and is responsible for empathy and compassion” (Bergland). As empathy is inherently psychological, it would be a defect to have an absence of empathy. From this, it can be determined that empathy is not specifically aimed a singular person or group of people. Ultimately, nothing aside from being human is a prerequisite for empathy.

Works Cited Agosta, Lou. "Empathy and Sympathy in Ethics." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 24 Mar. 2011. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. Bergland, Christopher. “The Neuroscience of Empathy.” Psychology Today. 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.

Historical

Cultural - Alex Peters There are two ways in which empathy can be practiced. It can be "altruistic if the beneficiary is a stranger…or caring if the beneficiary is someone 'near and dear'" (Agosta). These two forms of empathy are highly important in society and can be observed on a daily basis. However, each method is completely different in terms of the purpose. When an individual shows compassion for a stranger he or she is performing a selfless act. The individual is not necessarily benefiting from helping the other person, but remains to care for them. When an individual is showing compassion for a person that is already close to them, it is not as respected as the other method. This procedure only portrays an act of obligation because the one providing the care understands that the relationship entails helping the other individual without questions. Dalai Lama stated that "while we all share a capacity for loving-kindness, human nature is such that inevitably we tend to reserve it for those closest to us" (Lama 69). Due to society being that way we all tend to be egotistic. We feel as if it is not necessary to help others because it does not benefit us at all. Based on that, society is run by selfish individuals who lack compassion.

Works Cited Agosta, Lou. "Empathy and Sympathy in Ethics." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 24 Mar. 2011. Web. Lama, Dalai. Ethics For The New Millenium. New York: Riverhead, 1999. 69. Print.