Early in the 20th century, Ernst Toller was a well-known German playwright and political activist. He frequently and insightfully addressed social issues and the human condition in his work. His thoughts on empathy and its lack in society were among his most noteworthy.

According to Toller, many people are unable to comprehend or imagine the suffering and hardships endured by others who may come from different situations or backgrounds. He maintained that people would probably treat them with more compassion if they could actually experience what it's like to be someone else. This concept is comparable to figuring out how a German mother would relate to a French mother's suffering during a war.

Think of empathy as the link between two islands. One island symbolizes your own emotions and experiences, while the other island symbolizes someone else's. When this bridge is in place, it's simple to cross and comprehend the perspective of others. However, understanding and communication between the two islands deteriorate when the bridge is weak or nonexistent.

Toller's viewpoint emphasizes how crucial it is to develop empathy in our dealings with other people, particularly in trying circumstances like war or social unrest. His advice to forge closer ties of empathy and understanding between various groups and cultures is still relevant today.