A study of empathy as lived by Edith Stein, Edward Flanagan, and Dorothy Day: a Catholic perspective

In this study, empathy was critically examined through the lens of the Catholic inspired lived empathy of Dorothy Day, Edward Flanagan, and Saint Edith Stein through personal writings and scholarship of note. Common themes have emerged expressing their outwardly focused empathy in the following ways: empathy as reflective of figurative motherhood, empathy as a valuing of the individual, empathy as an expression of moral vision of the common humanity of people, and empathy emerging as a component or force in challenging times to foster social justice. Day co-founded the Catholic Worker; Flanagan created Boys Town, and Stein was a gifted writer and speaker. All three people tenaciously and actively worked for the welfare of others. This biography of empathy synthesizes the Catholicism and Catholic inspired, action oriented empathy of Day, Flanagan, and Stein to glean some new discoveries about empathy and to decide if there is such an expression of humanness as Catholic empathy. In looking at Day, Flanagan, and Stein and how they authentically lived so others could live with dignity, we can learn more about the value of empathy and why it is so important to act when injustice occurs--rather than merely sympathizing with sorrowing people. Day, Flanagan, and Stein flow through this study; their empathy holds pride of place, and so does the teachings of Catholicism. Catholicism, writ large, may be considered as important a main character in this biography as Stein, Flanagan, and Day