Which of the following best describes empathy?

Empathy is best described as the ability to understand someone else’s feelings deeply. It involves putting oneself in another person’s shoes and recognizing their emotions without necessarily sharing those feelings. This understanding allows individuals to connect on a deeper level, enabling supportive interactions and helping to foster compassion and care in relationships. Empathy goes beyond mere sympathy, which is merely feeling sorry for someone; instead, it requires a thoughtful engagement with the feelings of others.

In contrast, while feeling sorry for someone’s troubles may reflect a sense of compassion, it lacks the depth of understanding that characterizes true empathy. Taking action to improve someone's situation can be a result of empathetic feelings but does not define empathy itself, as empathy is primarily concerned with emotional resonance rather than action. Ignoring others' emotional states is the opposite of empathy, as it involves a lack of awareness and disregard for the feelings and experiences of others. Thus, understanding someone’s feelings deeply clearly captures the essence of empathy.