My life has been filled with arrogant moments, where I thought I knew better than others.
One of these moments was when I decided that I would only read non-fiction books. “Fiction is a waste of time” went the argument. Self-improvement was the focus. Fiction was only for recreation.
I’d often declare this view in group conversation, and find it was quite commonly held among young, driven people across London (particularly men).
But I have come to realise that this view is wrong. Good fiction – well written or perhaps historical – can be a brilliant source to learn from.
Fiction authors agonise over the events, characters and emotions in their books. In composing their narratives, they inject into their writing a reflection of their own emotions, analysis of people and host society (or a society they have observed/studied in reasonable depth).
Consequently, one can learn and practice empathy when reading fiction. Fiction authors describe actions, and their internal and external consequences, in detail to a reader. They explain ‘before-and-after’ emotions, and the actions that led to or were caused by those feelings. No other medium can provide the recipient with the same level of emotional detail or insight. Movies, for example, can’t be a constant voiceover.
In today’s ‘always on’, attention-deficit society, having the opportunity to step back and feel empathetic is more important than ever. So whatever you usually read, make sure you include some high quality fiction in the mix. It is a fun way to develop and practice empathy!
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