A new wave of research and cultural discussion has cast fresh light on the nature of empathy, challenging the familiar notion that empathy is merely a spontaneous, uncontrollable feeling. Instead, research and commentary increasingly suggest that empathy is a conscious choice—often a difficult one—that anyone can practice, especially when facing troubling or complex situations such as addiction, social deviance, or crisis. This revised understanding has significant implications for Thai society, health, and education, pointing the way toward more compassionate and effective responses in homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.
Empathy, long celebrated in Thai culture through concepts like “nam jai” (น้ำใจ) or the Buddhist idea of metta (เมตตา, loving-kindness), is often associated with emotional resonance: instinctively feeling what others feel. Recent analysis, drawing from the reflections of emergency medical professionals and new scientific studies, however, finds that empathy is not just a heartfelt response but also a decision involving cognitive costs, effort, and a willingness to take on distress. The discussion was sparked in part by public reaction to a realistic portrayal of addiction in the HBO Max medical drama “The Pitt,” which led to heated debates on social media over whether addicts—who may cause harm or behave in troubling ways—still deserve empathy.
A recent scholarly study, “To empathize with a group or an individual? Investigating the role of cognitive cost and distress in empathy choice” (PMCID: PMC12092378), provides compelling evidence that empathy is not simply automatic. It is, in fact, often weighed carefully. Using a behavioral measure called the Empathy Selection Task (EST), researchers found that most people actively avoid empathizing with individuals in distress when they perceive it as costly in terms of time, emotion, or cognitive effort. Surprisingly, participants in the study were more likely to choose empathy when presented with a group rather than a single individual, possibly due to the additional cues and context provided by group scenarios. Yet, even when empathy was chosen, individuals reported that it required more effort and evoked higher distress compared to simply remaining objective.
This conscious avoidance—sometimes called “empathy regulation”—helps explain why people can be empathetic in some scenarios but not others, even towards the same person. Public comments about the character Frank Langdon, an addict in “The Pitt,” revealed a recurring theme: Many claim to have empathy “until” that person crosses a certain line by behaving destructively. Such statements, as highlighted by the paramedic-author of the influential article “Empathy Is A Choice, Not A Feeling” (yourtango.com), point to a shallow or conditional view of empathy, as though it can be revoked when someone’s actions elicit anger or disgust.
Empathy, say experts, is more than just recognizing another’s suffering; it is the hard work of mentally stepping into their world—especially when their behavior is hardest to understand. “Empathy is a noun that turns into a verb the moment we put it into practice. It’s a choice, and it’s often a hard one,” the paramedic-author reflects. Neuroscientific and psychological research supports this view, noting that empathy can be “motivated,” meaning people weigh its potential costs and rewards before choosing to engage (Cameron 2018). When costs—such as emotional pain, fatigue, or the possibility of being manipulated—appear too high, many opt out, even subconsciously.
This redefinition has resonance in Thai context. In a nation where family, community harmony, and “face-saving” (รักษาหน้า) are paramount, admitting the limits of one’s empathy or recognizing active avoidance may be uncomfortable. Yet, the new research suggests that acknowledging these limits is necessary, not just for personal growth but for public health, education reform, and the national conversation about issues like addiction, crime, or mental illness.
Expert analysts argue that reframing empathy as a choice can also empower Thais in concrete ways. In health settings, for instance, research shows that when doctors and nurses actively choose to empathize, rather than simply follow clinical routines, patients recover faster, experience less pain, and report higher satisfaction (Nature, empathy research collection). Similarly, teachers who practice intentional empathy foster classrooms where students feel safer to express themselves and learn, as shown in medical and educational studies from Thailand and abroad (PubMed). Educational initiatives in Thai universities now include empathy training modules, underlining the current shift from rote learning toward emotional intelligence and perspective-taking.
However, this does not mean that empathy equates to permissiveness. Both the recent article and research insist that empathy does not condone, excuse, or enable harmful behavior; rather, it allows people to respond more wisely, holding others accountable while still seeing their humanity. For example, addiction specialists in Thailand emphasize that recognizing addiction as an illness—while maintaining clear boundaries—can lead to better long-term outcomes, both for individuals and their families (SAMHSA, Thai Ministry of Public Health). This aligns closely with Buddhist teachings on compassion and non-judgment, practices that have historically underpinned communal support for those in crisis.
Importantly, data from international and Thai studies reinforce the point that empathy “fatigue” or withdrawal is commonplace, especially in high-stress professions or during periods of national crisis. Thai healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, reported high rates of emotional exhaustion and sometimes had to “switch off” empathy just to get through the day (Bluesci, Empathy in 2024). Experts recommend that empathy, like any skill, can be cultivated and protected with practice, reflection, and organizational support—rather than left to chance.
Historically, the Thai concept of “kreng jai” (เกรงใจ)—a blend of deference, consideration, and self-restraint—has both promoted and limited empathy in society. On one hand, it fosters a culture of politeness and care; on the other, it sometimes discourages honest expression of distress or need, leading to unaddressed suffering. Modern education and mental health advocacy in Thailand now encourage more direct but compassionate dialogue, especially when supporting marginalized or struggling individuals.
Looking to the future, psychologists and educators foresee empathy as a core component of what it means to be a healthy, productive member of society—not just a matter of temperament, but a set of deliberate choices that can be modeled, taught, and sustained. Studies suggest that digital technology, while sometimes blamed for eroding empathy, can also strengthen it through virtual simulations, storytelling, and education platforms designed to foster perspective-taking (Scientific American). The challenge for Thailand, a society rich in both tradition and innovation, is to integrate these insights into daily life, policy, and national identity.
For Thai readers seeking practical advice, experts suggest beginning with small, concrete steps: pause before judging, ask questions before reacting, and practice perspective-taking, even when it feels difficult. For families, schools, and workplaces, openly discussing the limits and possibilities of empathy can reduce shame and enable healthier support systems for those in crisis. And for policymakers, investing in programs that teach and sustain empathetic choices promises a more resilient and compassionate Thailand.
For more on empathy research and practical tips, readers can visit resources from the Ministry of Public Health, SAMHSA, and Alcoholics Anonymous Thailand.
Sources:
- “Empathy Is A Choice, Not A Feeling” (yourtango.com)
- “To empathize with a group or an individual? Investigating the role of cognitive cost and distress in empathy choice” (PMC12092378)
- Bluesci, “Empathy in 2024: Brains, Media And AI”
- Nature: Empathy collection
- Scientific American: Being Empathetic Is Easier when Everyone’s Doing It
- Wikipedia: Empathy