Empathy: Our Greatest Human Strength

Empathy has gotten a bad rap lately.

In a headline-making appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, tech titan Elon Musk called empathy the “fundamental weakness of Western civilization,” going so far as to claim it’s pushing us toward “civilizational suicide.” That kind of claim sparks a lot of reaction—and perhaps that’s the point. But it also raises an important question: Is empathy truly a liability, or could it be our greatest strength?

In this first installment of a four-part blog series on empathy, we’ll explore why teaching empathy through social-emotional learning (SEL) is not just important, but essential—for our children, for our communities, and for the future of humanity.

The Case for Empathy

Empathy is the capacity to share and comprehend what another person is feeling. It’s fundamental to how we relate to one another, build trust, solve problems, and create compassionate communities. Though often viewed as a uniquely human trait, research in neuroscience and primatology suggests that other mammals—like elephants, dolphins, and chimpanzees—also display empathetic behaviors. Read more on animal empathy here.

So, if empathy is something we share with other mammals, what sets humans apart?

Unlike animals, humans possess the cognitive capacity to choose how we respond emotionally. This ability allows us to engage in moral reasoning, consider the needs of others, and act in alignment with our values. Choosing empathy is not a sign of weakness—it’s an act of courage and emotional intelligence.

As historian Susan Lanzoni puts it, “Empathy marks a relation between the self and the other that draws a border but also builds a bridge.” To disparage empathy is to build walls where we most need bridges.

Empathy in the Classroom

Research clearly supports the idea that empathy is not just a "soft skill"—it’s a core competency for success in school and in life. Students who are emotionally literate and capable of understanding the perspectives of others:

• Build stronger relationships

• Experience less conflict

• Make more thoughtful decisions

• Show greater resilience in the face of adversity

In contrast, students who lack empathy are more likely to:

• Feel isolated or lonely

• Engage in risky behaviors (including substance use)

• Struggle with depression and emotional regulation

• Exhibit antisocial or aggressive behaviors

Studies have even shown that empathetic children exposed to conflict at home fare better emotionally and physically than their less empathetic peers.

As Michelle Borba, educational psychologist and author of UnSelfie, explains:

“It turns out that kids schooled in feelings are smarter, nicer, happier, and more resilient than children who are less literate in their Emotion ABCs... Emotionally attuned kids are also physically healthier and score higher academically.”

In short: Empathy makes kids better humans. And better humans make better schools—and a better world.

Why SEL Matters More Than Ever

Social-emotional learning is how we teach these essential skills. SEL helps students identify their own emotions, manage stress, show empathy for others, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. Without SEL, students may struggle to make sense of their feelings or understand the experiences of others.

Initiatives like Harvard’s Making Caring Common Project and the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley emphasize that cultivating empathy is foundational to a safe, supportive school culture. Teachers who model and teach empathy create classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and ready to learn.

Educator Lauren Owen, writing for Edutopia, says it best:

“Empathy contributes to building a positive classroom culture, strengthening community, and preparing students to be leaders in their communities.”

The Bigger Picture

So, whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a concerned citizen, ask yourself this: What kind of society do we want to create?

If we choose empathy—not just as a feeling, but as a daily practice—we empower students to grow into compassionate leaders and thoughtful problem-solvers. We build bridges in a world full of barriers.

In the coming posts, we’ll take a deeper dive into the how:

• How to develop empathy in children and students

• How to practice empathy daily

• How to live empathy as a way of being

For now, know this: Empathy is not a weakness. It’s a strength—and one we cannot afford to lose.