Improving Empathy?

I know it is hard to define but I'm interested in in it and ideas for increasing it.

What do you think it is?

Would you say it is emotionally relating to the needs of others - feeling pain when they feel pain and feeling the potential emotional consequences of actions on others as though you are doing it to yourself?

How do you grow this connection?

How about just enjoying being in the presence of other fellow living beings?

 

I have a thought, maybe I should try talking to people with the only intention to listen to them and nothing else.

 

I think people have a certain base line empathy to start. That starting point is higher for some people. Strict "justice" thinking tends to cause people to have less empathy. For example, "everyone gets what they deserve" philosophies. It's an interesting thought. I think if you are asking it there's hope you'll find a way.

 

That is a great way of thinking but even a psychopath can do that. They can truly be interested in helping others but it would either be cold and cognitive, or their emotions would be contrived, learned and perhaps sentimental.