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Navigating autistic empathy: phenomenological perspectives and debates.

Junguo Zhang1

  • 1College of Philosophy, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China. zjgcass@163.com.

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Summary

This study re-examines autism through the lens of double empathy theory, suggesting empathy is a reciprocal process. It critiques existing phenomenological models for overlooking the bidirectional nature of autistic-allistic social interactions.

Keywords:
AutismDouble empathy problemIntersubjectivityPhenomenologyReciprocity

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Area of Science:

  • Phenomenology
  • Autism Studies
  • Social Psychology

Background:

  • Critiques the Theory of Mind framework's explanation of autistic social difficulties.
  • Highlights phenomenological accounts grounding these difficulties in intersubjectivity.
  • Identifies an underemphasis on empathy's reciprocal structure in existing analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Re-examine phenomenological accounts of autism using the double empathy theory.
  • Integrate the concept of reciprocal empathy into understanding autistic-allistic interactions.
  • Provide a phenomenological foundation for non-deficit models of autistic experience.

Main Methods:

  • Phenomenological analysis drawing on Husserl's work.
  • Critically engages with contemporary phenomenological critiques of Theory of Mind.
  • Synthesizes insights from the double empathy theory.

Main Results:

  • Phenomenological understanding reveals empathy as inherently reciprocal and co-constituted.
  • Husserlian phenomenology supports the bidirectional nature of social breakdowns proposed by double empathy theory.
  • Challenges unidirectional deficit models of autistic sociality.

Conclusions:

  • Husserlian phenomenology offers a robust framework for understanding reciprocal empathy in autism.
  • Supports the double empathy theory's emphasis on bidirectional social interaction.
  • Advocates for a paradigm shift beyond deficit-based explanations in autism research.