Empathy is a form of knowledge and understanding required to accurately grasp reality.
On the one hand, it’s understanding others’ emotions — not just in a superficial, logical way like a robot might understand the colour red as a ‘630 to 750 nanometers long wavelength of light’, but to actually experience what it’s like to feel that emotion, or see that colour. Only then can we grasp its beauty, or significance.
On the other hand, it’s understanding their lived experience. It’s “walking a kilometre in their shoes” or taking the time to learn about their world without biases or assumptions distorting our view.
It takes an open mind to see beyond our limited perspective, but in doing so we expand our world and open the door for positive connection. Empathy is required for fairness — we can only treat someone fairly when we genuinely understand their individual circumstances. Why did the child steal food? Because they’re greedy or mean, or because they aren’t being fed enough at home? Do they deserve punishment, or do they need help? When we close off our empathy, we close off our ability to make fair and accurate judgments.