Empathy is one of the most talked about and widely studied concepts of recent years. Some argue it can help create a more just society, improve medical care and even avert global catastrophe. Others object that it is morally problematic. Who is right? And what is empathy anyway? Is it a way of feeling with others, or is it simply feeling sorry for them? Is it a form of knowledge? What is its evolutionary origin?
In this thorough and clearly-written introduction to the philosophy of empathy Heidi Maibom explores these questions and more, examining the following topics:
- The nature of empathy and key themes in the literature
- Empathy as a way of understanding others, particularly ''simulation theory'' and ''perspective-taking''
- Empathy, emotional contagion, and sympathy
- Empathy''s role in moral understanding or motivation
- Empathy and art appreciation, with examples from film, music and fiction
- Empathy a
