A Case for Reading. Fiction as a Key to Empathic Humanity

Abstract

The importance of empathy is hard to measure. Throughout human history, it has been essential to our survival. It creates a connection between the self and the other and enables us to build functioning societies. Literary fiction has played a vital role in the development of human empathy as it provides an insight into another’s inner reality, but as we become more dependent on modern technology, a decline in literacy ratings follows. This is to the detriment of human society, as reading, along with its other benefits, increases empathy. As humanity appears to become continually more polarized, the importance of empathy becomes greater. The Enneagram, a typology of human personality, can be used to increase self-awareness which influences the way we see “the other” as well as improving people’s capacity for empathy. By examining literature through the Enneagram, we gain insight into ourselves and others and begin to take steps towards increased empathy. The typology system can be used to train individual’s capacity for empathy in corporate, educational, and private settings. In this essay I discuss the nature of empathy, its part in human history, and the numerous benefits it has, such as altruistic behavior and compassionate agency. Then, the impact of storytelling, reading, and imagination is considered, and whether it increases our capacity for empathy. Finally, we explore the Enneagram. To see how the Enneagram provides insight and increases understanding and empathy towards the other, we shall use the typology to examine literary characters from J. K. Rowling’s series Harry Potter. I will apply the Enneagram in a character analysis to show how it can be used to frame and explain an individual’s interior motivations, their choices, and behavior. In doing so, I hope to provide a way to increase self-compassion and empathy towards the other.