How would you describe the word “empathy?” Mostly, the first definition people might come up with is putting yourself in another's shoe. However, everyone can answer this question variously. Likewise, every single word has different meaning in people’s minds. Empathy is the one of the words that I think it has deeper meaning than stated in the dictionary. Even though its origin comes from the word pathos, which means passion or suffering, nowadays it has contrasting meaning from first time it had been developed. According to Merriam- Webster Dictionary empathy is “the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotions.” The word empathy is derived from the Ancient Greek word ἐμπάθεια (empatheia), "physical
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Since everyone has different views, it is normal to come up with multiple answers when the meaning of the word empathy is asked. In my point of view, empathy is more than just saying “The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” To me it has a deeper meaning. In my own words, I would describe empathy as understanding each other at any time with a respect. The ability to understand others is somehow very difficult if the person has not experienced that feeling before. I experienced situations like this when I moved to Belgium and started to go American High School where the classes are taught in English. I knew little bit of English but taking classes and speaking was different. So at first it was very difficult to adapt but like everyone I get used to it. The point is my friends in Turkey did not understand the struggle I am having with language. The reason for that is they could not imagine what it's like to learn things in foreign language and take tests about it. They did not know how hard to catch up a native speaker and response to them. They were saying that they understand me and it is very hard to do all those things. However I do not think they understood me, because it is hard for them to do empathy about the situations and feelings they have never experienced. In contrast when the person knows the feeling that you are struggling with, it
Since everyone has different views, it is normal to come up with multiple answers when the meaning of the word empathy is asked. In my point of view, empathy is more than just saying “The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” To me it has a deeper meaning. In my own words, I would describe empathy as understanding each other at any time with a respect. The ability to understand others is somehow very difficult if the person has not experienced that feeling before. I experienced situations like this when I moved to Belgium and started to go American High School where the classes are taught in English. I knew little bit of English but taking classes and speaking was different. So at first it was very difficult to adapt but like everyone I get used to it. The point is my friends in Turkey did not understand the struggle I am having with language. The reason for that is they could not imagine what it's like to learn things in foreign language and take tests about it. They did not know how hard to catch up a native speaker and response to them. They were saying that they understand me and it is very hard to do all those things. However I do not think they understood me, because it is hard for them to do empathy about the situations and feelings they have never experienced. In contrast when the person knows the feeling that you are struggling with, it