The Phenomenology of Empathy and Intersubjectivity In Diagnosis and Psychotherapy
Empathy, as defined by both phenomenologists and psychologists is an essential skill or tool for successful psychotherapy and diagnosis. However, the importance of empathy as a psychological and philosophical concept is not isolated to the tradition of phenomenology beginning with Hegel or Heidegger. Eastern cultures have also developed skills in the healing professions that are complementary to phenomenological notions of empathy such as intersubjectivity, or the coupling of self and other. These skills assist the therapist by allowing them the intentionality to view the patient’s existence as an independent phenomenon. The views of Husserl, Edith Stein, Carl Rogers and Japanese philosopher Tetsuro Watsuji are explained in terms of their influence on theories of empathy that illuminate current practices of diagnosis and psychoanalysis.
