Athena between Empathy and Sympathy: A Mythological Analysis of Contemporary Social Relations
Athena between Empathy and Sympathy: A Mythological Analysis of Contemporary Social Relations
Thursday, 10 July 2025: 15:30
Location: SJES022 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
Oral Presentation
In contemporary sociological discourse, empathy emerges as a crucial concept for understanding interpersonal dynamics. The term, derived from the Greek "en-pathos" (feeling inside), evokes a deep emotional identification. Sympathy, on the other hand, from "syn-pathos" (feeling with), expresses a less intense emotional participation. The myth of Athena, goddess of wisdom, illustrates how a deity can embody both qualities: empathy toward Odysseus, by identifying with his sufferings, and detached sympathy, where she acts rationally for his benefit whithout fully sharing his pain.
This distinction mirrors contemporary social relations, where empathy and sympathy coexist, but with different moral implications. Max Weber, through his Verstehen theory, and Émile Durkheim, with the concept of collective emotions, discussed the role of empathetic understanding in social cohesion (Weber, 2016; Durkheim, 2017). Cataldi and Iorio also explored the concept of agapic action, an other-oriented approach that offers a complementary perspective to empathy and sympathy in today’s society (Cataldi & Iorio, 2018). Zygmunt Bauman, in describing “liquid modernity” highlights how the fluidity of modern relationships weakens the authenticity of empathy, which often becomes superficial in “liquid relationships” (Bauman, 2000). Edgar Morin, meanwhile, emphasizes the complexity of empathy as part of a process involving mind, emotions, and culture (Morin, 1993).
However, empathy can also represent a source of vulnerability. Arlie Hochschild and Eva Illouz point out the risks of “emotional labor” and the commodification of empathy in capitalism, leading to emotional exhaustion (Hochschild, 1989; Illouz, 2007). Using the figure of Athena, this critical analysis explores both the positive and negative aspects of empathy in social and power relations, suggesting that understanding its ambivalence is essential for building ethical and balanced relationships.
This distinction mirrors contemporary social relations, where empathy and sympathy coexist, but with different moral implications. Max Weber, through his Verstehen theory, and Émile Durkheim, with the concept of collective emotions, discussed the role of empathetic understanding in social cohesion (Weber, 2016; Durkheim, 2017). Cataldi and Iorio also explored the concept of agapic action, an other-oriented approach that offers a complementary perspective to empathy and sympathy in today’s society (Cataldi & Iorio, 2018). Zygmunt Bauman, in describing “liquid modernity” highlights how the fluidity of modern relationships weakens the authenticity of empathy, which often becomes superficial in “liquid relationships” (Bauman, 2000). Edgar Morin, meanwhile, emphasizes the complexity of empathy as part of a process involving mind, emotions, and culture (Morin, 1993).
However, empathy can also represent a source of vulnerability. Arlie Hochschild and Eva Illouz point out the risks of “emotional labor” and the commodification of empathy in capitalism, leading to emotional exhaustion (Hochschild, 1989; Illouz, 2007). Using the figure of Athena, this critical analysis explores both the positive and negative aspects of empathy in social and power relations, suggesting that understanding its ambivalence is essential for building ethical and balanced relationships.