This volume critically discusses the role empathy plays in different processes of understanding. More precisely, it clarifies empathy’s role in interpersonal understanding and appreciating works of literature and art.

This study examines the relationship between the interpretation of fictional literary texts and hermeneutic equity, which is a core interpretive principle in general hermeneutics and language philosophy. To accomplish this, the author reconstructs a formal and substantive definition of a specific philological principle of equity along with the conditions under which a charitable interpretation should be avoided.