How We Ruined Empathy
The article discusses the current state of empathy in society, questioning whether it is a feeling or a virtue. It highlights the debate among political thought leaders regarding the implications of empathy, particularly in relation to women's roles. The author suggests that the elevation of feelings over facts may be contributing to societal issues.
- ▪Empathy is defined as the action of understanding and experiencing the feelings of others.
- ▪There is a debate about whether empathy is a feeling or a virtue.
- ▪Some thought leaders on the political right are concerned about the impact of women's greater propensity for empathy on societal order.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Elizabeth Grace Matthew / May 30, 2026 How We Ruined Empathy Both left and right have overly elevated feelings over facts. Society & Culture Illustration by Noah Hickey/The Dispatch Illustration by Noah Hickey/The Dispatch Audio Turn any article into a podcast. Upgrade now to start listening. Text Size Members can share articles with friends & family to bypass the paywall. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads Email 0 Open and scroll to the comments section Is empathy—defined by Merriam-Webster as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another”—a feeling? Or is it a virtue? And is women’s greater propensity for empathy wrecking our societal order? These are some of the questions animating (and…
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