Empathy

Abstract

This chapter examines the role that empathy plays in understanding the experiences of human and nonhuman others. The chapter first distinguishes between two often confused concepts, sympathy and empathy, to show how empathy builds connections with others by trying to understand their perspectives and worlds. The chapter then traces different kinds of empathy (affective resonance, and storied empathy) to argue for a concept of entangled empathy, which requires recognizing the manifold relationships people are in, including social and material conditions. The chapter also addresses worries about empathy. The chapter concludes by showing how entangled empathy can help people address the ways that many human and nonhuman animals can be and are oppressed.