Caring, Needs, and Empathy

Abstract

To provide good care, we must understand the needs of others; for this, an operation of the mind, empathy is essential. In terms of caring, needs are its object and empathy is an indispensable means. However, the interrelationships among them still remain to be examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to comprehensively investigate concepts such as caring, needs, and empathy, and their legitimate interrelation. My investigation comprised three phases: First, the multiple layers of caring were distinguished. Caring has a fundamental dimension of respect for others, which is desirable in virtually all human relationships, and serves to establish smooth relationships. In addition, caring has multiple layers according to the situation or relationship with other persons. These views of caring sometimes conflict with each other; however, carers or aid-supporters accumulate considerable experience before they come to entertain a “intermixed point of view, ” and to be able to provide tailored cares suitable for the particular context. Second is the analysis of the concept of “needs.” Although needs are regarded as crucial in nursing and educational theories, the concept of needs has not been adequately analyzed. Therefore, in this paper, while critically examining the concept of needs proposed by Nel Noddings, I consider what needs are in the context of providing good care and how they are grasped. As some philosophers like Michael Bratman have stated, humans are not only urged by shortsighted desires but also have long-term, planned visions, especially to which our attention is to be paid. In addition, we seem unconscious of some of these needs. Helpers are required to extract them and make them more accessible through conversation. Third is the classification of the concepts of “empathy.” Empathy is an essential operation of the mind in caring, specifically in grasping the desires of others. However, the concept is so obscure and varied that empathy is often said to have the same number of meanings as its proponents. To untangle this situation, I shall classify its various operations for a deeper comprehension of caring: When do these empathetic operations do good or harm to caring? I differentiate “sympathy” and “empathy, ” and then make two subdivisions of empathy: “cognitive” and “emotive.” These three operations play their own role in caring. My emphasis in caring is very much on “cognitive empathy, ” while “emotive empathy” increases the risk of helpers’ mental exhaustion or even burnout. Therefore, I conclude that it is desirable for carers or helpers to develop cognitive empathy and refrain from emotive empathy.