Empathy reflects an individual's ability to perceive the emotional state of another living organism through psionic means. This is more than simply telling that someone is happy because they are smiling. An empath can determine whether someone is feeling ashamed, hiding a secret, or harboring positive or negative feelings towards another. Empathy is a common trait among many alien races. The little midget with the telescoping neck known as E.T. possesses this trait, due to the bond he shares with the human boy Elliot. Counselor Deanna Troi from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had the ability to telepathically sense the emotional state of those within her line of sight, even if such individuals were only present on a video monitor. The DC Comics superheroine, Raven, also possessed this ability. In the Star Wars multimedia franchise, the alien race known as the Zeltrons possess empathic perception as one of their natural abilities.
Notes[]
- A person who possesses empathy is often referred to as an empath.
- Those who can manipulate the emotions of others possess empathic control (which redirects to this page).