Helping Others: From Empathy through Compassion to Altruism.
What is the difference between empathy, compassion, and altruism?
These are not distinct concepts. Instead, they’re three components of the same process: helping or serving others.
Step 1: Empathy (understanding)
Empathy is the ability or process of understanding what another person is experiencing and thinking. It allows us to fully and accurately understand the other person’s issues, challenges, and needs, their suffering and pain.
Step 2: Compassion (want)
We’ve empathized with another person, realized that they’re suffering, and understood the nature and extent of their problem. We’re now ready to move on to the next step.
Compassion is the desire to help the other person — to alleviate their pain, resolve their issue, and address their needs.
Step 3: Altruism (action)
We’ve realized that the other person is suffering, understand their issue, and are ready to help. Now, it’s time for the final step — to take action.
Altruism is the act of helping another person without expecting anything in return. Altruists sometimes sacrifice their own well-being for the well-being of others. The process of helping another person is now complete.
❓ Is it possible to be compassionate without first empathizing with another person?
❓ Are we capable of altruistic acts without feeling compassionate?