Edith Stein’s Example: Putting Empathy into Praxis

David R Strong

doi:10.7176/jpcr/50-05

Abstract

This article examines how Edith Stein’s philosophical theory of empathy informs not only her scholarly discourse, but also the decision to dedicate her life to others. It first explicates the primary tenets of her theory, situating them within the context of early phenomenology as inspired by Edmund Husserl’s writings. It then chronologically charts those personal events that best display her efforts to put into praxis its principles. From being a volunteer nurse aiding the wounded during World War I to comforting those being sent to the concentration camps during Hitler’s regime, she continually privileges an empathetic awareness to understand those factors affecting the other’s state of mind and instill a sense of dignity that betters his or her person. The interlacing of these experiences underpins her conversion from Judaism to Christianity as well as a deep-seated desire to forge a meaningful connection with others. A concerted attentiveness to another’s beliefs and needs, whether they are intellectual, emotional, or spiritual, depicts the kind of affection that she exemplified on a daily basis. Keywords: Edith Stein, Phenomenology, Empathy, Holocaust DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/50-05 Publication date: September 30th 2020

Highlights

While many biographies chart the seemingly eclectic details of her life and many scholarly articles examine the profundity of her philosophical acumen, I would like to bridge these two related but distinct facets of her life to show that her tenets of empathy find fruition most fully in real-life experiences.2 Her academic writings coupled
As a Catholic convert, she sought to exercise the virtues of compassion and charity, promoting human dignity in the most forsaken places
Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1985); Elisa Magrì and Dermot Moran, Empathy, Sociality, and Personhood: Essays on Edith Stein’s Phenomenological www.iiste.org with a deep religiousness refine her belief in the value of others, and the decision to champion this principle transforms her thought from an abstract to a pragmatic endeavor which betters both her person and those who come into contact with her. Expounding upon her view, Alastair MacIntrye writes: “Empathetic awareness allows us to understand others in the same way. . . . And just as in the case of certain others we find ourselves, after we have become aware through iterated empathy of how they view us.”1 Making the effort to align our thoughts and feelings with another generates a positive rapport that allows us to realize our potential as human beings

Summary

Introduction

While many biographies chart the seemingly eclectic details of her life and many scholarly articles examine the profundity of her philosophical acumen, I would like to bridge these two related but distinct facets of her life to show that her tenets of empathy find fruition most fully in real-life experiences.2 Her academic writings coupled. Note 4 Edith Stein, On the Problem of Empathy, trans.

Results

Conclusion