empathy noun the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another (Merriam-Webster)
Even though the word only came into English in the early 1900s, empathy is a core part of Christianity. The Incarnation is empathy in action.
Some would argue that a too-prevalent virtue is a vice. I’m not sure that’s quite right, and I’m even less sure in the case of empathy. That said, does empathy need other virtues? Yes. In particular, empathy (by itself) can only lead to understanding of another person or community. It cannot determine what is right, just, or true. If we make a mistake with empathy, it is not because we empathize too much. Rather, we have forgotten other virtues as we empathize.
As usual, Jesus shows us the way. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV) To pay the price for our sin, He (apparently) could have walked on the scene at age 33 and been crucified. Yet, He chose instead the path of the greatest empathy the world has ever seen, walking with us in every pattern of our lives. (See Philippians 2:6-8) He has completely and totally experienced all of the human weaknesses and temptations that we all have—and more.
Yet, He did not sin. He demonstrated empathy to the full, but He did not let empathy fully define Him. He instead kept Himself on the narrow path of Truth and Holiness while being more fully empathetic than anyone before or since.
Empathy is not easy.
It is, perhaps, not so hard when you have shared experiences with another. I can most easily empathize with my kids when they experience something I also experienced when I was a kid. It takes more work the further the distance. There are a lot of experiences I have not had. It takes work to understand what it might be like to always be worried about how those in authority will treat me (due to race or ethnicity or gender or personal opinions). Or what it’s like to have to battle with urges that don’t match the way my body is put together. Or what it’s like to grow up with ever-present violence and never-present-enough parents or money or food. Or what it’s like to be homeless and friendless and starting over. Or what it’s like to be looked at askance when walking into a store.
Empathy takes work, but it is possible. It’s one of the gifts God has given all of humanity. Nonetheless, empathy still needs the other virtues.
Apart from recent public comments about empathy (which I have little interest in discussing directly), what does empathy have to do with politics? Policy-making should be a rational process, shouldn’t it? That’s a false dilemma. Making policy requires a foundation in reason, truth, and empathy.
I’m a computer programmer by profession. Creating software to compute a mathematical result can perhaps be made from pure reason, but the moment the program has to interact with a human, that computer program requires empathy. Good software only comes by putting yourself in the seat of the user, and understanding their experience so that you can meet their needs as closely as possible.
Similarly, policy-making should be rational. It should reflect Truth and Justice and Humility and Mercy and Prudence and Beauty. Fiscal responsibility is important. It must also empathize with the people it affects. Carefully consider how we might follow the second Great Command—“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)—without divorcing it from the anchor of Truth in the first Great Command—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
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