Comments on: Is There a Difference Between Empathy and Compassion?

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:39:06 +0000

Thanks Bill, I thin you put that very well. Many thanks for your comment.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:48:22 +0000

“In a sense we are like small animals without any fur or sharp teeth to protect us. What protects us is not our viciousness, but rather, our humanity. It is our ability to love and be loved that makes others want to take us in and keep us warm.”

I am currently in a relationship that has had me question this very concept of the difference between compassion and empathy. When asked, my partner can recognize the anguish that others go thorough. And yet on the other hand, she is not able to suggest even the simplest of solutions that might provide comfort for that same person. This has frustrated me to no end as I desperately need her to invest herself into action, as recognition that she understands (either for me or for others). Where we may find similar interest in hobbies, food, and…, it all becomes meaningless without that deeper connection that comes from truly understanding someone and wanting to interact at that level. I propose that this is the concept of intimacy.

Consequently, would it not be correct to then say that the meaning of compassion is that intimate part of ourselves that we give to others when we empathize over someone else’s dilemma?

Bill

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By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:01:46 +0000

Well put. Thanks for your comment Aditya.

By: Aditya

Aditya — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:39:00 +0000

Hi Evan!

It seems to me that empathy is simply the ability to see and feel the world through another’s eyes, regardless of whether we desire to relieve their pain. Compassion, on the other hand, seems to require the latter but not the former (although it certainly helps!).

Cheers!
A

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:20:45 +0000

Hi Albert, the ‘feel your pain’ kind of thing I call “sympathy”. If we genuinely want to help I think it is important to not get overwhelmed by someone’s pain (no use to them or us). Thanks for your comment.

By: Albert | UrbanMonk.Net

Albert | UrbanMonk.Net — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:02:54 +0000

Hey Evan, I think you’re right. Empathy doesn’t necessarily include action, and compassion does. However, according to some people, empathy involves feeling the other person’s pain, and compassion recognises it but does not necessarily “join in”. In other words, one is “I feel your pain”, and the other is “I acknowledge your pain, what can I do?”. Based on some of the emails I have received, there appears to be a misunderstanding towards the first, which is illogical if you think about it. Like if someone has burnt their hand, would you burn your hand too, before bandaging theirs, just to know what it feels like? Or would it be wiser to simply take care of yourself and treat the wound as best you can?