For The Exclusive,
Proma Ajoy Shil
Has the world lost the ability to be kind, compassionate, and exhibit empathy?
Addressing the dwindling empathy in our society is crucial. Both the well-being of the individual and the smooth operation of our communities depend on empathy.
Let's define empathy first: empathy is the capacity to feel what other people are feeling on an emotional level, to see things from their perspective, and to put oneself in their shoes. It basically involves placing oneself in another person's shoes and experiencing what they must be going through.
Empathy has two parts: cognitive and emotional.
Emotional is our response to someone else's thoughts and feelings that prompts us to respond correctly, whereas cognitive is the recognition or understanding component that leads us to identify another person's thoughts and feelings.
One significant factor contributing to this decline is the overreliance on text messages as the primary mode of communication. We must recognize the limitations of digital communication and make a conscious effort to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions. It's time to prioritize genuine connections and emotional understanding.
We need to actively promote empathy in our daily interactions, whether it's through attentive listening, offering support, or demonstrating understanding. By taking proactive steps to rebuild empathy in our society, we can create a more compassionate and empathetic environment for generations to come.
Empathy is the fundamental survival trait because it is the awareness that the other person could be me.
When you talk about medicine, modern medicine has seen a decline in the sacred patient-physician relationship because most of the time we are on our computer screens, rather than looking at our patients and trying to understand what our patients are saying because our main goal is to treat and provide the prescription. Doctors were taught to be compassionate and understand what our patients are going through.
The existential peril that we will soon have to confront together—whether it be viral diseases like COVID-19 or climate change—makes us more lonesome, cruel, and separated. This is a serious problem because of the empathy gap. An inability to survive could result from a lack of empathy, as demonstrated by COVID-19.
Though wars are a contentious subject, particularly in light of the present circumstances, the more we choose to turn a blind eye to such topics the more it proves that the world lacks empathy. The war in The Gaza War demonstrates a profound lack of humanity, a reflection of the leaders—or, perhaps more accurately, the dictators—and the general public's total indifference. This shortcoming immediately fuels violence and impedes attempts to put an end to this harmful behavior.
People prioritize their survival when faced with threats due to the increasing self-centeredness of society, frequently ignoring the pain of strangers. Still, it's critical to recognize other people's viewpoints. Global suffering is mostly caused by the public, international leaders, and society's lack of emotional and cognitive empathy. Without empathy, it is challenging to understand the anguish and suffering of others and to see how one's actions can appear antagonistic or even evil from the perspective of the other person. War has become routine, extinguishing lives indiscriminately, while empathy has grown scarce. Recent conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Ukraine serve as stark reminders of humanity's capacity for quiet cruelty and the empathy gap. Addressing this empathy deficit is vital for fostering a more compassionate and harmonious world.
Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." This powerful message underscores the imperative to actualize true democracy by truly seeing each other, working together, and coexisting.
As social beings, we must reject the allure of hatred and bigotry and unite in solidarity with those who suffer in silence. Then and only then will we be able to bridge those gaps and get closer to a more compassionate world.
Although the planet may be mourning, it is not too late to reverse the course. We must unequivocally choose empathy over apathy, compassion over cruelty, and love over hate. Humans are not inherently violent and destructive, but cooperative, empathetic, and loving.
War has become routine, extinguishing lives indiscriminately, while empathy has grown scarce. Recent conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Ukraine serve as stark reminders of humanity's capacity for quiet cruelty and the empathy gap. It is crucial to educate the younger generation to transcend the barriers of hate and intolerance, reminding them of our shared humanity and capacity for compassion.
In conclusion, the statement "walking a mile in someone else’s shoes isn’t as much about walking or the shoes - it’s about being able to think like they think, feel what they feel, and understand why they are who and where they are. Every step is about empathy."
Comments