Did a diversity hire do that writeup for Merriam Webster? Their own supporting examples don't make sense:
In order to succeed, humanitarian efforts require a "Goldilocks" solution—just the right mix of force and charity, sympathy and structure, blind will and determined follow-up.
Surely the humanitarians aren't expected to "share" the feelings of the strangers they're helping?
Sympathy and the desire to understand other people, the better to help them, are originally, I am forced to believe, virtues.
If "sympathy" is already feeling what other people feel, why is "understanding" them separate?
Sympathy is, put bluntly, feeling sorry for people.
Ya everywhere i looked is pretty wishy washy. And with dictionaries being re written it's hard to even link one in good faith. My understanding is that sympathy is shared feeling, empathy is being able to understand how someone feels.
Did a diversity hire do that writeup for Merriam Webster? Their own supporting examples don't make sense:
Surely the humanitarians aren't expected to "share" the feelings of the strangers they're helping?
If "sympathy" is already feeling what other people feel, why is "understanding" them separate?
Sympathy is, put bluntly, feeling sorry for people.
Ya everywhere i looked is pretty wishy washy. And with dictionaries being re written it's hard to even link one in good faith. My understanding is that sympathy is shared feeling, empathy is being able to understand how someone feels.