How do I know if I have the characteristics of empathy?

Question

I can identify with how people feel about things, and about me. I can understand their feelings about it, yet I tend to be more apathetic then empathetic. Am I really empathic? or is it something else?

Answer 1

If you like people, and friends like you. Friends will know if you are really like them and like you back. That's the sign that you are empathic to them.

Answer 2

If you can put yourself in another's place to be able to understand how they are feeling then you are being empathetic. And that would entail not having shared the same feeling that another has had but actually putting your Self in a possible situation where you can actually think of the well being of the other person without putting yourself in the experience.

For example: someone murdered your best friend and the family was very religious enough to forgive the murderer, could you empathize with their stance even though you may not share the same point of view. To pick apart a situation for clarity is not easy especially if you are attached to the issue. But first you must remove your feelings and just look analyze the data. Try to figure out why a person would feel the way they do and on varying degrees is not an easy thing to do.

Answer 3

No--you answered your own question--you are apathetic--empathy is an active quality when one is called empathetic--you may have empathetic tendencies but by your own words --do not act on these qualities

Answer 4

empathy is the ablility to walk in someone else's shoes.... apathy is not the opposite of empathy though.

Answer 5

these kinda ppl are sensitive, open minded, ready to change, understanding n considerate

Answer 6

WHO CARES ?

Just asking.