Coming to an Understanding: A Theoretical and Personal Critique of Empathy
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Authors
Ballew, K. Renwick
Issue Date
2017
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The intention of this essay is to critique the concept of empathy. We will look at
what empathy is, why it occurs, and ways in which empathy can do more harm than
good. I outline the ways in which acts of empathy have the potential to be unproductive,
if not explicitly harmful, to subjects we are attempting to help. This process involves two
separate critiques. The first discusses how empathy may not be a perfectly effective
means of communicating unshared experiences from one person to another. I explain this
concept by discussing the individualistic nature of emotion, differentiating cultural
aspects that exist within verbalized language which inhibit translation, and the
complicated effects of trauma on memory. The latter argument revolves around the potential for empathy to be counterproductive, and even harmful by enacting violence on
to those we are attempting to connect with. This critique looks at the ways in which
empathy can lend to the appropriation and commodification of suffering via sadistic and
masochistic methods of interpersonal connection. Throughout the paper I use historical
and modern examples of how well intentioned attempts at empathy can be incredibly
detrimental. These examples act not only to strengthen my critique of empathy, but also
work to critique certain methods of allyship and activism.
Description
42 p.
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License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.