Empathy is a murky term in the American lexicon it seems. However, the theatre has taught your humble blogger its incredible, indispensable value. It could be the balm that soothes the wounds of the chaotic transition our country is making.*
As always when speaking of empathy, one must first define its eremitic cousin: sympathy. Sympathy is empathy at a polite distance, best characterized by that wonderful,confederate colloquialism “Bless ‘er/his heart”. Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone. Sympathy is best reserved for strangers and 3rd cousins from Idaho. But even they deserve better than that.
Sympathy has its uses, particularly when approaching an ethical issue that doesn't involve our fellow human beings. The utility of it breaks down, however, when it does not compel ethical actions in regards to our sisters and brothers. Empathy supersedes sympathy, and when well embodied, forces action.
Empathy can be tritely summarized by the old “walking in someone else's shoes.” It is that in the sense that one practicing empathy must do their best to embody the perspective of another. Not possible with an animal or a plant.*** James Baldwin, the great author and playwright quoted above, knew what he was talking about.
Empathy is the great realization that we all, every last stinking one, are in the same boat. We’re inherently unequal and unique in our existence, but not in our faculty for adopting one another’s perspective.
Actors, in the Stanislavsky method at least, are taught how to empathize by amplifying their own approximate experiences. Wanna seem to be a genuine murderer? Then amplify the feeling you have while smacking a mosquito and apply it to your stage victim.
The theatrically inclined do not know what a wonderful gift they have been given. This great emotional tool can persuade even the most hateful of creatures to understand the difference between a helpful and a harmful action before they take one. Empathy is a brick wall of understanding that leaves little room for avarice or misanthropy.
We see very easily that our times are absolutely bereft of this very valuable tool, when it could be helping us to shape a more perfect and just world. If the first thought in response is that one’s group is better at it and the rest simply need to catch up, the lesson might need to be learned twice. Or thrice.
* What that transition is heading toward is best speculated by socio-political futurists far more credentialed.
**The deservedly maligned “Thoughts and prayers” also springs to mind.
***No one knows what an animal’s perspective is, because no one has been able to experience it, but we all know what it is to be a human being. If more philosophers read these articles, there would probably be heated debate on the topic. Or just digital hate mail.
