The Space Between

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When Barack Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court, his remarks about the importance of empathy in a judge sparked significant debate. Critics feared that this emphasis on empathy would undermine impartiality and reasoned judgment. Concerns about empathy have since been echoed by conservative voices as well as academics. In her work, Heidi Maibom draws on philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience to argue that empathy actually enhances our objectivity rather than detracting from it. She explains that our perception of the world is inherently subjective, shaped by our interests and relationships. However, through imagination, we can step into another person's perspective, allowing us to interpret and value experiences differently. This process not only broadens our understanding of others but also deepens our self-awareness. Maibom's exploration combines insights from various fields to present a contemporary view of perspective-taking, asserting that empathy is not an obstacle to objectivity but rather its foundation.