Empathy is simply about understanding another person’s perspective. It does not mean one has to agree with it or even tolerate the resulting behaviors. And it does not mean that listening to them will lead to them reconsidering their perspective. Many of the extremists do seem to have a mental illness, reminiscent of PTSD. They are redirecting their reaction to some emotional trauma.

The reason that empathy matters is that it is required before reconciling differences can happen. More and more that is being tossed out the window in favor of confrontation. We are seeing each other as enemies more and more. I do it. It can’t be good, though.