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Which of the following is a formal definition of empathy? empathy (noun): the ability to sense and understand the emotions and experiences of others The meaning of empathy is summed up in that old saying, "Before you judge someone, walk a mile in their shoes." The best dog trainers have a very well-developed sense of empathy, meaning they instinctively understand a dog’s feelings. At the same time, that empathy can make it difficult for them to be around people. Human problems are harder to solve than a dog’s, and feeling someone else’s pain all the time is exhausting. Lola is totally self-centered! She has no empathy for anyone else, in fact I’m not sure she even understands that other people have feelings.

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Final answer:

Empathy is the ability to sense and understand the emotions and experiences of others. It plays a role in social problem solving, conflict avoidance, and altruism. Empathy is emphasized in ethics and can be triggered through narrative immersion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Empathy is the ability to sense and understand the emotions and experiences of others. It is the capacity to take the perspective of others and feel concern for them. Empathy plays an important role in social problem solving and conflict avoidance, and it can be developed and cultivated through various means.

For example, research suggests that humans have evolved to have a sophisticated empathic understanding of animals, especially dogs, which has given them an evolutionary advantage. Additionally, empathy is closely related to altruism, as an empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help.

Empathy is also emphasized in ethics, where it is considered a virtue that individuals can cultivate. In storytelling and theatre, empathy is triggered through narrative immersion, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in the story and empathize with the characters.

User Eric Smekens
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