Empathy vs Compassion
Empathy and compassion are often believed to have the same meaning, but there are some differences between them. First, let’s define the two words. Compassion refers to having a sympathetic feeling towards someone without attempting to know their feelings or even understanding the intensity of their suffering. On the other hand, empathy involves trying to imagine another’s problem, coupled with strong feelings for that person, understanding their problem, and sharing their feelings. The main difference between compassion and empathy is in how we approach another person. In compassion, we look at the person from our point of view, but in empathy, we try to look from the other person’s point of view. Let’s explore this difference in more detail.
What is Compassion?
Compassion is a type of feeling where you tend to feel for the person concerned. You strongly feel sorry for the state of a person without attempting to know what is in their mind. Without even understanding the intensity of their problem or predicament, you simply feel sorry for them. Compassion does not involve sharing feelings with someone. You do not step into the shoes of the sufferer when you show compassion to them. Without understanding their feelings, you simply feel sorry for them. This is the primary difference between empathy and compassion, making it easier to have compassion towards another person than empathy. Now let’s move on to the next word, empathy.
What is Empathy?
Empathy can be considered a higher level of emotive behavior. It involves some imagination of the person’s predicament or problem, coupled with strong feelings for them. The imagination of similar situations is the hallmark of empathy. Such imagination lays the foundation for gaining empathy for someone. In the case of empathy, you tend to share feelings with someone. It is essential to know that, in the case of empathy, you would step into the shoes of the sufferer as far as experiencing the impact of the suffering is concerned. You become one with them after understanding their feelings. Empathy is a complex kind of feeling that requires a basic understanding of the emotional standards of human beings.
Key Takeaways
- Empathy involves trying to imagine another’s problem, understanding their problem, and sharing their feelings, while compassion refers to having a sympathetic feeling towards someone without attempting to know their feelings or understanding the intensity of their suffering.
- In compassion, we look at the person from our point of view, but in empathy, we try to look from the other person’s point of view.
- Empathy requires a more in-depth understanding of the other person’s feelings and sharing the experience, while compassion only needs a basic understanding and does not involve sharing feelings.
