In this bite-sized episode of our "Explained! In 10 or less..." series, we're diving deep into the nuanced concept of conditional empathy.
What it is, why we need to understand it, and how it can shape our behaviours.
Here are three key takeaways from this episode:
1. Empathy vs. Conditional Empathy
While empathy allows us to resonate with the experiences of others, conditional empathy highlights the biases that can restrict this natural response, demonstrating that our empathy is often influenced by our preconceived notions about others, or our capacity to find common ground.
2. Bias and Morality
Our capacity for empathy can be shadowed by moral judgments and biases, whether we're conscious of them or not.
3. Global Empathy Imbalance
We observe conditional empathy on a global scale, where international reactions to crises can be heavily influenced by the identities of the people involved. This imbalances the scale of empathy and calls for a deeper reflection on the narratives we engage with and the ones we overlook.
As you listen to this episode, question how your own empathic responses are triggered or subdued...
Now you understand it, can you think of a moment where you realise your empathy was conditional, and what internal triggers influenced that response?
Ready to get into it?