Empathy in Theory and Practice

3 Units

This course understands 'empathy' broadly, to include not only the sharing of emotion with others but also our capacities for perspective taking, intersubjectivity, narrative comprehension, aesthetic appreciation, and ethical reasoning. These forms of empathic reasoning are both neurologically and psychologically distinct from the more paradigmatic forms reasoning e.g. science, logic & mathematics - they work with emotions and are essentially perspectival in nature. This class explores two complementary sides of empathy: (i) What is the theory and science behind empathy? (ii) How can we use empathy more effectively? There are no prereqs and students are not expected to have taken prior classes on empathy. Nonetheless, this is an advanced, rather than introductory or remedial, class. Students are expected to bring prior learning and/or practical expertise to contribute to a deep dive into the subject. If in any doubt, you are welcome to ask the professor. Offered as PHIL 323 and PHIL 423 .