Empathy and politeness are the glue that holds society together.

Look around, with that in mind, and the world we're living in makes a little more sense in its senselessness.

I am an empath. It can be exhausting and I often neglect myself. However, it is a quality I value in myself and others.

I think empathy is incredibly important. To be without empathy is to be a sociopath.

Empathy is very important. IMO if we are to survive as a nation we need to care for the sick, find jobs for the unemployed, educate our youth, and elevate the life experience of the poor.

I have a friend who has been an interesting experience for me: he's not empathic. He's not insensitive and cares a lot, and will certainly be hurt by negative emotions coming his way, but he can't "read" people like I can. At first this threw me, and he would say things that would typically wound me under other circumstances but he was just being frank. However, we've both adjusted and utilize our words more than we normally would. I've learned to verbally express my emotions so he'll understand, and he'll ask me to explain if he knows he's not getting something, but wants to know. It's been quite interesting.

Yes very much. I was a lecturer in 'person centred counselling' Personal Growth which revolves around Warmth -(prizing) Congruence (Being genuine) and Empathy (reaching out as if you were that person).
I don't think I could live without any of these and still feel my own humanity. I guess what it boils down to is caring for humanity.

(And of course there are always going to be people who don't want that)

Yes I have it and an ideal male partner would haveit also.

I do. I feel the world would be a better place if everyone had the ability to put themselves in other people's shoes before taking some action. Thinking before acting and being able to be empathetic is hugely important, imho, in just being a decent human being.

It's the single most important aspect of humanity in my opinion. I couldn't date anyone who was devoid of empathy.

Value. When asked how I can have morality without god....I inevitably answer that my empathy for others directs my moral compass

I think it's massively important, it's just the golden rule after all.
Imagine if our level of empathy was part of our daily life, if we added it as part of our personal values: looks, wealth, humour, intelligence etc, let's add empathy. Imagine the change it would make to politics and government.

It's crucial to human interaction. No healthy society is possible without it.

Another thought :
One must have the strength to look and the wisdom to walk away.
....or.....
The wisdom to look and the strength to walk away.
Empathy is good, and important.
Knowing the limitations of ability when experiencing it is crucial.
ie: you can't save everything or everyone.
....
Friend once said "I feel for ya, but I just can't reach".
Another one said " I'm smellin the shit yer standin' in"

Empathy is or should be a core

I believe the level of empathy one shares comes from a sense of connection to either the individual, the community, or the situation regardless of the first person association. Empathy is what drives us to enjoy our TV shows, our music and our relationships. So I'd have to say 100% yes. Now, the practice of expressing empathy is far more difficult in a society of 'Us vs Them' mind set that is taught. This world would be a better place if we all shared a little more empathy with one another.

Empathy is crucial in any relationship and must be a part of the culture of any caring society.

"Empathy" is what pedophiles, rapists & serial killers lack.Without it people are no more than animals.

I think empathy to a healthy level is justified. Part of the joy in life is connecting with those around you. I find you can’t truly understand people’s life decisions without empathy for others pain. I also think in a relationship it’s very important. However, You can not let your empathy get in the way of your wellbeing

Very. And no, at least not a civilized/moral society...

It is very important for people to have empathy, but compulsory empathy is a violation of the privacy of mind of other people. People should understand that other people are not their property to mentally probe into.

I fully understand, grasp and respect that people should keep a semblance of respect for others along with their property because it is positive and human, but people have to understand that it is not always appropriate to make one's thoughts, intentions and feelings open for being learned and used by others.

I often run into people who insist on a personal relationship, and insist on knowing my mind at the moment or insist on getting attention from me, but therein lies the very issue-the moment itself. At any given moment, I am already working on something, or doing some necessary thinking and I absolutely do not like it when people interrupt because they are having verbal or emotional diarrhea.

I DO empathize with others, I do grasp the struggle of others, and understand what makes them work, but there are these simple truths I already know:

1. Not everyone deserves it. I know a piece of sh%t from a mile away, and I know who will make a mess out of things. I learned this very well from observing and studying the better and worse of humanity for many years.

2. Empathizing is a normative thing and not a necessary course of action, which pulls a person out of their rationality.

3. Empathizers are puppies. Systemizers are wolves.

4. Empathy is largely based on unfounded notions of who another person is. Not everyone is capable of taking in experience, thinking and interfacing with reality in the same way, and people often give a false notion of who they are. The whole notion that a person can "see where another person can come from" is a very reductionistic supposition on how the mind works.

5. Empathetic people are lunch meat to evil people. We can try to convince those people to change all we want, but they only ever quit when they die of continuously fighting with others and breaking other laws. Also, note that people tend to already be focused on something, and will not take suggestions on how to change, unless they already are looking for a solution.

Now, how important is it for people to have empathy?

For the already associated, it's very important. For enemies, it's a mistake.

Can society survive without empathy?

Probably not. If people don't have your back in your blind-spots and such places, then it is a sickening and mentally deranging environment. This notion of "destructive constructiveness" that comes from austerity policies is simply not a good thing, because it puts people of at least sufficient value at risk.

Of course I value empathy!

Psychopathy is marked by impulsivity, an absence of guilt over hurting others, and often superficial charm. Psychopaths are usually described as lacking empathy, and a new study reveals the neurological basis for this dearth of feeling.Sep 24, 2013

Blame the Brain: Why Psychopaths Lack Empathy - Live Science
[livescience.com]

Yes l do. No.

Empathy exists even in many non-sentient species so it's not a part of society but life itself at some stage of development. Empathy is not an option. Watch Equilibrium with Christian Bale, great movie about removing emotions.

I think people are selectively empathetic.
Same with other moralistic notions.
We choose when to place them, or cast aside.
Also think the term sociopath is tossed about far too lightly.
Most exhibit sociopathic traits to some extent - it's almost required to live - but sociopath should be reserved for those who truly become it - Bundy, Dahmer, etc.

I value it and I think it is important for others to as well. And we could survive without it as a society, but we wouldn’t be making much progress for our human flourishing.