Empathy in an era of division
Empathy has emerged as a focus of public interest in Korea, reflecting a growing desire to understand one another in an increasingly polarized society. The steady stream of bestselling books on the subject underscores its significance in public discourse. However, popularity does not guarantee clarity. How well do we actually understand empathy, and what does it ask of us as members of a civil society? Empathy is far more than clasped hands, tearful eyes or the familiar platitude, “I feel your pain.” It is a capacity that integrates emotional attunement with cognitive perspective-taking. While emotional resonance enables us to feel what another is feeling, the cognitive dimension is to mentalize as we step beyond our own vantage point and see the world from another’s perspective. Rightly understood, empathy becomes a foundation of social life, grounded in the recognition of human dignity and a commitment to the well-being of others. Without such an orientation, civic bonds fray, and those vulnerable are pushed to the margins of society. Yet, a growing body of scholarship suggests
