Empathy vs sympathy

[Dolby]

I've always assumed that with empathy, you've been in the persons shoes before and can empathise with him and the situation - while sympathise is understanding, yet not having been there.

So - for example - a friend has a drug problem she's speaking to me about. I've had one in the past ... so I can empathise with the situation. Had I no experience, I can only symapthise.

Yes / no ?

 

[HavocXphere]

The distinction is pretty thin & haphazard. I'll venture a guess though:

Empathy -> Emotion specifically
Sympathy -> Everything else, but also some shallower emotion focusing more on the event than the feeling.

e.g. If someone has lost R100, you'd not apply the word empathy. There isn't enough emotional content that you can empathize with (against? *)...its just an unfortunate situation.

*Technically you empathize with the person not the emotional content but you get my drift

 

[EnchanterG]

To empathise with someone is to listen to their point of view non-judgementally, placing yourself in their context. It assumes you can see their point of view without judging it by your standards.
"I think I see what you are trying to say..." Is an emphatic response.
Sympathy means to give someone your feelings in context.
"Shame, I know how you feel and you must be devastated!"

 

[Synaesthesia]

So - for example - a friend has a drug problem she's speaking to me about. I've had one in the past ... so I can empathise with the situation. Had I no experience, I can only symapthise.

Yes / no ?

This is the way I think of it.

 

[Bobbin]

+1 for EnchanterG's post. That is how I understand it. You don't have to be able to relate from the same experience in order to empathise, but it may help with your judgement of their situation.

 

[Dolby]

You don't have to be able to relate from the same experience in order to empathise, but it may help with your judgement of their situation.

Ok .... so I may be wrong, but at the worst I can draw the argument and don't need to buy flowers