Understanding and Practicing Empathy: A Conversation with a Differing Perspective

You will write at least 1000 words about your research and your interview.  You need to research empathy and have at least one source.  Choose a topic (lifestyles are common but make sure the topic is something you sincerely struggle with understanding) that you strongly disagree with another person over (This must be someone you know.  You will not receive credit if you do not actively speak with the person).  Think hard about the things you think you are absolutely right about and how other’s are wrong (what do you get sanctimonious over).  Think about what it takes to get to understand you and your position on things.  Come up with a list of questions (more to get organized not to drill the person you interview because you need to be authentic).  Then have a conversation with this person who you deem so “wrong”.  BE GENTLE!  Use your research on empathy to get to know their position and their perception of things.  Many of you are going into careers in the medical field.  It is imperative that you have a basic sense of understanding and caring for a person with which you strongly disagree.  For those who are not going into medical fields, it is just a good moral foundation to have empathy and understanding for others.