Replying to Avatar Clockwerk

I have learned in the last few years that this notion of empathy as deep understanding of another's experience is a bit of a divergent viewpoint.

there is a more pragmatic definition of empathy- that is is the expression in the moment of that understanding, via word, tone, body language, eye contact,etc. This definition places the emphasis on the communication and timeliness it as a kind of shared explosional recognition

This is how many people who in fact have a deep well of internal feeling, understanding, etc may nevertheless less fail at being percieved as empathetic- because to fail in the timely successful expression is tantamount to the same thing from a relational standpoint.
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HannahMR 10mo ago

Ya I can see that. You can be empathetic but not be perceived as empathetic. it is good to develop solid enough social skills to be able to communicate empathy!

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JimD 10mo ago

I think empathy is the ability to vicariously experience (and anticipate?) some portion or analogue of another entity's emotions (and react in appropriate ways?).

Notice those parenthesized clauses?

I think that common parlance often makes or ignores those subordinate aspects depending on whether it suits their thesis at the moment that they're using or considering using the term.