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Once considered a universal good, now divides as much as it unites. Empathy has long been viewed as a straightforward , but it has recently become a .

Some conservative voices, , have criticized empathy, with Musk calling it a "fundamental weakness of western civilization."

Joe Rigney, a theology fellow at , has gone further, He argues "untethered empathy" can distort moral judgment because it may lead to people excusing harmful behavior simply because they sympathize with the person experiencing it.

Few qualities in public life have undergone such a dramatic shift in perception as empathy. Once celebrated as both a marker of moral character and an essential leadership skill, empathy now sits at the center of polarized debates about governance and policy.

The so-called reveals not only divided views of leadership but also . These tensions raise important questions about the history, promise, pitfalls and future of empathy.

What is empathy?

The traces back from the German term einfühlung, which was first used in the context of aesthetics to describe the emotional response a person feels when imagining themselves moving through a painting, sculpture or scene of natural beauty.

The English term "empathy" . What began as a way of describing how people relate to art later moved into as researchers began to study how people identify with the feelings of others.

From there, empathy evolved into a in business and management to help leaders and improve both relationships and performance.

For decades, this was presented as a clear asset. Today, however, that same capacity is viewed by some as a liability rather than a strength.

Why empathy matters

Empathetic leaders can translate this capacity into . In organizations, empathy fosters innovation by —the sense that people feel they can take interpersonal risks, such as sharing ideas without fear of ridicule or retaliation.

Research shows when people feel safe to speak up. Empathy supports that safety by making listening genuine rather than performative. For example, when leaders regularly ask "What perspectives are we missing?" they signal that speaking up carries little risk. Empathy also strengthens collaboration by enabling leaders to recognize diverse perspectives and weave them into collective problem-solving.

By supporting growth and risk-taking, it reinforces and helps employees step into new responsibilities. Through deep listening and thoughtful responses, empathetic leaders build trust, inspire commitment and help teams remain resilient in the face of change.

Beyond the workplace, empathy also contributes to broader human flourishing. Findings vary across studies, but empathetic people tend to be . Health-care , and all report higher satisfaction when empathy is present.

Still, despite its many benefits, empathy is not immune to distortion in workplaces, politics and society at large.

The paradox and politics of empathy

Empathy carries an inherent paradox: people can feel genuine compassion while also recognizing the of what can realistically be offered.

In workplaces, for example, managers may seeking flexibility while also facing pressure to deliver results. Leaders often face difficult questions about fairness when resources are tight and not everyone's needs can be met.

In politics, a similar dilemma arises. Leaders may, for example, express concern for refugees fleeing conflict while balancing that compassion against . Here, empathy can clash with competing obligations.

Beyond these limits, empathy can also be . Without self-awareness and judgment, it can lead to or even be as a tool of . For example, after a child in Texas died from measles, and influence public opinion.

highlights a related risk. Being able to understand someone else's perspective can help reveal the other side's constraints and lead to better deals, but feeling their emotions too deeply can pull negotiators off their strategy.

These concerns echo in the broader culture. Critics of empathy argue it has been politicized or , with those who fail to display it toward certain groups being .

The future of empathy

Although , some studies suggest that , has been .

The reasons for this are debated, ranging from the to . Regardless of the cause, the perception of decline has fueled in its study.

Empathy does not mean blindly . It calls for listening with genuine curiosity, asking perspective-seeking questions and creating space for others to share their truths.

Simple practices such as can strengthen our capacity to connect.

When practiced ethically and with courage, empathy has the potential to extend from private virtue to collective strength, and be used to rebuild trust, bridge divides, sustain communities and keep leadership anchored in humanity.