Explanation
The capacity to understand others’ perspectives and feelings without equating them with one’s own. It shifts interpretation from judging others to tentatively inhabiting their situation.
Example
I understand why that pause sounded threatening to you.
Counterexample
Merely mentioning “Empathy” without the described function is not a sufficient example.
Distinction
Do not equate it with a narrower subtype or a merely adjacent concept; the defining function is decisive.
Effect on thought and perception
It shifts interpretation from judging others to tentatively inhabiting their situation.
Resonance
In the atlas, Empathy forms a node joined by 4 previously unresolved reference lines.
Etymology
Technical core term; individual etymological review pending
Provenance
Unresolved relation network → core-concept review → Metzler/HWRh cross-check → ATLAS 238
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Empathy“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-CORE-238-013. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-238-013The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.