What Kind Of Person Are You?

Sympathy, Empathy, Altruism. What Kind Of Person Are You? Let’s break it down. Know yourself.

As for sympathy, the definition is a feeling of sincere concern for someone who is experiencing something difficult or painful. Sympathy has been in use since the 16th century. It comes ultimately from the Greek sympathēs, meaning “having common feelings, sympathetic,” which was formed from syn- (“with, together with”) and páthos, meaning “experience, misfortune, emotion, condition.” It is the condition where you sync and share feelings with another person, “I feel you,” “I feel sorry for them,” “I hope they find peace.”

Now, about empathy. Sympathy and empathy sound the same, don’t they? Both refer to a caring response to the emotional state of others. Yet, there is a distinction between them. Empathy involves actively sharing in the emotional experience of another person. Empathy is based on sympathy and was created in the early 1900s as a translation of the German word Einfühlung, which means “feeling into.” Initially, it was used in philosophy, art, and psychology, and it still has specific meanings in those areas that sympathy does not have.

Let’s talk about “feeling into.” It refers to the deep emotional and cognitive process of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Imagining what it feels like to be them in their situation. It’s more than just understanding facts about their experience. It’s about trying to experience their emotions and thoughts from their perspective. You are trying to engage that person’s feelings as if you’re stepping into their emotional world. You aim to understand not just what they’re going through but how it feels to them on a deeper, personal level. You could call it an immersive way.

When you grasp the emotional nuances of their situation, you’re better equipped to offer support that genuinely addresses their needs. This could mean providing comfort, practical assistance, or simply being present for them. The deeper your empathy, the more meaningful and impactful your help can be. This deeper engagement means you go deeper, which results in you actually helping that person.

Altruism, the definition is unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. This means caring about others without considering your own interests or benefits. It emphasizes that the focus is on someone else’s needs rather than your own. Devotion to the welfare of others.

Altruism can be considered an act of empathy, but they are not the same thing. Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others, often resulting in actions to help them. It is driven by a desire to assist others without expecting anything in return. When you empathize with someone, that understanding can inspire altruistic actions. For example, if you feel empathy for someone who is struggling, you might be motivated to help them out of that concern. In this way, empathy can lead to altruistic behavior, making them interconnected concepts.

Sometimes, it’s not about you feeling sorry for someone, or trying to understand their situation. You simply believe it’s the right thing to do.

Based on those three. Are you a person who always feels sorry for others? Do you often find yourself empathizing with their struggles and feeling a deep sense of sorrow for what they’re going through? Or are you someone who actively seeks to help others in need, taking the initiative to offer support and assistance when you see someone struggling? Alternatively, do you help others simply because you believe it is the right thing to do, regardless of how you personally feel about the situation?

Whatever you identify with, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Each approach to helping others has its own value and significance. My intention here is to encourage you to reflect on your motivations and actions. Understanding who you are at your core and how your feelings and actions align with your values.

This might help us connect on a deeper level. This journey of self-awareness can lead to meaningful changes, both for yourself and for those around you.

So, again. What kind of person are you?