How We Ruined Empathy The article explores the nature of empathy, questioning whether it’s a feeling or a virtue. It highlights ongoing debates among individuals on the political right concerning empathy’s definition and its perceived impact on societal order, particularly in relation to women’s greater propensity for it. The piece suggests these conversations can be both stimulating and paralyzing.

• Empathy is defined as understanding, awareness, sensitivity, and vicarious experience of another’s feelings.
• There is a debate on whether empathy is a feeling or a virtue.
• The role of women’s greater propensity for empathy in societal order is being questioned.
• These discussions are occurring among thought leaders on the political right.