Why we can't empathize with everyone on earth

Empathy is a key human trait. Sympathizing with others is usually seen as good. It is the base of kindness. A lack of empathy can cause hate and violence. But psychology shows empathy has downsides. Sympathy can turn into aggression. Good acts can become twisted.

How does empathy work? Neuroscientist Chris Frith says mirror neurons model reactions. Birds and primates share these neurons. They fire when we act or feel things. They also fire when we see others act, feel, or show pain. Studies show we feel fear seeing a scared face.

This happens even if the face flashes by fast. We copy scared looks without thinking. Frith calls this "emotional contagion". It's like copying gestures or bird calls. True empathy is complex. Psychologists Daniel Goleman and Paul Ekman break it down.

Cognitive empathy means understanding others' feelings. It's guessing what they think. Emotional empathy means sharing feelings. It's feeling what they feel. Compassionate empathy turns empathy into action. It's wanting to help them feel better.

Compassionate empathy has a hidden problem. Helping others can ease our own bad feelings. Selfishness can sneak into empathy. Other levels of empathy have issues too.