How can empathy be best defined?

Empathy is best defined as understanding the experiences of others. This definition encapsulates the essence of empathy, which involves not only recognizing the feelings and emotions that others may be going through but also having the capacity to see the world from their perspective. It's about deep comprehension and connection with their experiences, which allows for a supportive response.

While feeling sorry for someone may seem similar, it often lacks the depth of connection involved in empathy. Helping someone in need indicates a proactive response but does not necessarily encompass the understanding that defines empathy. Taking on others' burdens can suggest an emotional or psychological overwhelm that does not reflect the relational and supportive nature of empathy itself. True empathy involves a balance of understanding others while maintaining one’s own emotional well-being, which is better captured by the notion of understanding the circumstances and emotions of others.