An emerging word today in terms of popularity is the concept, empathy. In Tagalog, it means “pagmamalasakit” or “pakikiramay,” or the capacity to sense the feelings of others even if unexpressed in words.

The sight of homeless people during heavy floods, typhoons and fires, which happened too frequently in the recent years, should deepen this feeling that we describe as a prevailing social malaise. It is the sight of wealth against the backdrop of poverty. I tried to capture this is my painting of a “kariton,” a pushcart carrying discarded pots and pans pushed by a squatter against the background of a skyrise in the city.

It is the persistence of dishonest practices in some government agencies like the ghost projects in the flood control projects at the Department of Public Works and Highways with the connivance of contractors, legislators, and executives of the agency. This had underscored the disparities between the rich and powerful and the majority, the poor and powerless. It had shown the absence of compassion, sensitivity and sympathy towards the majority who live on a hand-to-mouth existence.

The lack of empathy or the capacity to put oneself inside the shoes of the struggling wage earner, the farmer, the fisherfolk is a deplorable attitude which I hope can be checked before it is too late.

Think of missed opportunities, the funds allocated for health facilities,irrigation, fertilizers, school buildings, books and wages if those chosen to lead were more empathetic. Think of what the country and our people would have been today. Think of where we could be if we are able to close the disgraceful social and economic disparities. Or if the millions that are funneled into the pockets of a few were to be earmarked for priority needs in health and education. We would no longer have stunted children, and see less violence and crime as there would be a more equal access to social and economic opportunities, and a happier and more contented people.

Another example of defining empathy is “the capacity to imagine oneself occupying an entirely different role or social position.” This was given as an example of how a country can leap-frog to become a modernized society by Daniel Lerner, a sociology professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He embarked on a social field experiment in Arab countries, among them, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iran,and Lebanon; interviewed young men and women in rural villages, and returned to survey the same sample years later.

Some had migrated but most of those who remained had taken up occupations of their parents, mostly farmers, fisherfolk, market vendors, and low-level village officials. The ones who left the village became parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, international civil officials, and similar posts in their country or abroad.

The question he posed in the first survey was “Can you think of yourself as governor or president of your country?” Those who could imagine themselves in those roles modernized more quickly. The findings and implications were explained in his book, “The Passing of Traditional Society: Modernizing the Middle East.”

Empathy is developed in the first five years of a child’s life. The influencing factors were found to be genetic, temperament, and environmental. Psychologists say we can cultivate it through self-reflection, active listening, exposure to diverse perspectives, and practicing kindness and cooperation. Surroundings play an important role in shaping personalities.

Research had shown that where there exists larger degree of corruption, crime or inequality, people tended to act selfishly or to harm others. Thus, poverty reduction, better schools, and fairer laws can lead to developing a more empathetic people.

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