Understanding Fellow Feeling

This chapter explores the concept of fellow feeling, emphasizing its role as an ontological experience of being present with others rather than simply responding to their distress. The discussion differentiates between true empathy and mere emotional replication, suggesting that understanding another's emotions without being consumed by them is essential. By examining feelings of joy and envy in relation to others, particularly in the context of children, the chapter illuminates the complexities of sympathy and the interconnectedness of emotional experiences.