> know the idea is that by engaging with more people, one acquires empathy for more people and becomes a broader, more mature person. I'm not sure where you g

> know the idea is that by engaging with more people, one acquires empathy for more people and becomes a broader, more mature person. I'm not sure where you get that conclusion, but the source doesn't really matter - I think it's a bit backwards. Engaging with more people might broaden your perspective, but I don't think the outcome of engaging with people is more empathy. My experience is that empathy is something you should cultivate if you want to have a better understanding of others and their motivations. This is something you may want to do if you wish to have a relationship of some kind, or to influence their behavior.