"Social Intelligence" again?<p>Btw, empathy by itself (if we think of it as so-called mirror neurons based machinery of shaped by evolutionary forces reciprocal altruism) is a "glue" of any social formation, so there is nothing special about it.<p>If we think of it as an "ability to feel other people's feels" (and reflect and react on them) - then it is OK for some context and not so for another. At least, in a harsh, competitive even hostile environments it is rather a vulnerability.<p>So, inside any kind of social organization, be it a flock of animals or a village community or a company competing in a crowded market - empathy is what holds it together. It is also the foundation of the social aspect of some religions, but why should one pile up more abstract concepts on top of a simple biological phenomena?<p>And, of course, it is not <i>the</i> most important skill, given that the social aspect of a human life is, indeed, important, but not the most important. Any so-called "introvert" (with is a last-century meme) will tell you that.<p>There are people, who would say, that independent thinking, not being a docile sheeple, conditioned by social environment, etc. are more important virtues in life.<p>There are reasons, why intellectual practices and spiritual growth requires a solitude.<p>So, high empathy is important for a social worker or a priest or any kind of "manipulator", but I don't buy that it is the most important skill for a techie or an "introvert". Yes, it helps when we have to visit a public place, but why should we make other people as our primary occupation?