How does empathy differ from sympathy?

Empathy is characterized by the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. This means that when practicing empathy, an individual actively tries to perceive and comprehend what another person is experiencing emotionally, allowing for a deeper connection and understanding of their feelings. It isn’t just about recognizing someone’s emotional state; it’s about putting oneself in their shoes and grasping the emotional experience from their perspective.

On the other hand, sympathy typically involves expressing care or concern for someone else’s situation. While sympathy acknowledges another person’s emotional pain or hardship, it does not necessarily involve the same level of emotional engagement or understanding that empathy demands. This distinction is crucial in recognizing emotional intelligence because building genuine connections often hinges on one’s ability to empathize rather than simply feeling pity or concern from a distance.