Arguing the case for empathy

Whether in the form of song lyrics, literature, poetry, art, or scholarly activity, over time and across cultures, the ability to empathise is seen to be central to successful relationships. It is at the heart of social psychological and relationship science enquiry, including investigations into attributions, prejudice, altruism and aggression, with the cognitive component, perspective taking, seen to be core to relationships – be they therapeutic or intimate. However, in the last decade, there has been a war on empathy. This has played out in the academic space, as researchers have challenged fundamental models of empathic human interaction, or as related concepts such as compassion have enjoyed a flourishing of scientific activity. It has also occurred in the popular science sphere, with bestsellers that argue against the importance of taking others’ perspectives and experiencing outward-focused emotion. Many would argue that the war on empathy has all but been won by indifference, with the seeming perils of a fundamental lack of empathy present throughout the world and up to the highest levels of office. In this presentation, I want to reinstate the importance of empathy as a research and relationship endeavour. I will do this by examining the cases against empathy, as well as carving out a roadmap for future of scientific enquiry. I will draw on my own research and that of others to examine the ways in which empathy is – and has always been – the key to how we live and love in our own relationships at the individual and societal level.