Quote Originally Posted by Rebelondeck View Post
I don't equate understanding with empathising because I think that people can truly empathize without fully understanding the processes that they're experiencing. The associative processing of Fe-types is the better tool to actively link to the feelings of others in a rationalization sense whereas Fi-types have superior tools to objectively understand their situations. Fe-types rationalize in a group-hug (brain storm) sort of way, almost like they're getting into the heads of those around them and not entirely thinking for themselves while Fi-types detach from others in order to rationalize and really do think independently.
a.k.a. I/O
Empathize: understand and share the feelings of another. (from google search)

I'm not sure how you can empathize without understanding, as it forms part of the meaning of the word.

But... I don't know about your response either. People who have been through a lot, or just one specific traumatic event, get help from others who've been through the same, which is why so many ex-addicts etc help people who are cleaning themself up, because they understand, and can therefore share and empathize.

You might be right rebelondeck, it's just a bit too much Ti going on there for me, i'll step out and understand there's plenty that's above me and i'm not able to get, and just muddle through my life, ha

But, empathy has qualities to it more than what socionics can explain, so, you're probably right in a way at least.

Thanks again.