The definition of empathy is pretty narrow: "Empathy is generally described as the ability to take on another person's perspective, to understand, feel, and po

The definition of empathy is pretty narrow: "Empathy is generally described as the ability to take on another person's perspective, to understand, feel, and possibly share and respond to their experience." Understanding is required, sharing is not, and in particular, simply sharing in someones emotional state does not imply that your goal is to improve the outcome for the other person. It may actually be to deepen it to take advantage of it. Empathy does not imply any system of values or consciousness, although, I recognize it is often casually meant that way, that was not the definition I was using.