Empathize

When you think of words that describe art, one of the most common words that come to mind is emotion, so it isn’t much of a shock that empathy is one of the most important aspects when it comes to creating something. Empathy is “…the ability to step into the shoes of another person, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives, and to use that understanding to guide our actions”, according to Roman Krznaric from Greater Good Magazine. Empathy is a term that is used to describe an array of emotional experiences but can be narrowed into two different types- affective empathy and cognitive empathy. In a different article from the Greater Good Magazine, it states that “affective empathy refers to the sensations and feelings we get in response to others’ emotions” and “cognitive empathy, sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and understand other people’s emotions”. Empathy is an integral part of human nature, so much so it can be traced back into our evolutionary history and can be observed in our primate relatives. It is so integral to art as well as our lifestyle because it is an important factor when it comes to solving problems and making connections in a relationship to form a bond. This comes into play in an artist’s job when they need to solve a problem, so they view the issue from the perspective of people who are affected so they can create a better understanding of the specifics that need to be fixed.

As the video from the YouTube channel RSA states, “Empathy is a choice and it's a vulnerable choice. In order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling”. Since empathy is a conscious decision, there are many habits and skills that go into being empathetic, which Roman Krznaric talks about in his article. These habits consist of habits such as cultivating curiosity, challenging prejudices, trying another person’s life, listening and opening up, inspiring change, and developing an ambitious imagination. When one practices the habits of empathy, it will be easier to understand problems from other perspectives, therefore allowing more useful solutions to the problem at hand. These habits for empathy are also reflected in the article by Unstuck, which lists the steps as understanding yourself, listening fully, recognizing the unspoken, reserving judgement, and acknowledging. The fact that two entirely different sources have very similar habits about enhancing empathy reflect how these are tried and true methods that will genuinely improve one’s sense of empathy. These habits for empathy are especially useful for artists that make products or pieces that are meant to call attention to, fix, or solve a problem, which is why it is so integral for an artist to learn about empathy. Just as the video by RSA states, “…rarely can a response make something better. What makes something better is connection”. Without empathy, problems would remain unsolved in the world and lead to more miserable lives for everyone.