It can be a genuine display of empathy, or it could be totally dismissive. My point is that saying “sorry” doesn’t need to be an admission of guilt, but it does need to show that you care about the other person’s feelings.
I am forced to disagree with the first point of your assessment.
empathy
[em-puh-thee]
Phonetic (Standard)IPA
noun
the psychological identification with or vicarious experiencing of the emotions, thoughts, or attitudes of another.
Even if someone were actually sorry about how another person feels, that is very different from psychological identification with how the other person feels, or vicariously experiencing what the other person feels. At best, “I’m sorry you feel that way” is an expression of pity and/or condescension.
Again, that comes down to how it’s communicated. For example, of someone’s parent dies, dropping by to say, “I’m really sorry you have to go through this. I’ve been there and know how much it sucks. If you’d like to talk, I’m always available.”
That takes the form of an apology, while not apologizing for anything and instead recognizing, validating, and offering help with their feelings.
That’s obviously and extreme example, but I think it demonstrates my point.
Another more realistic example in a relationship would be someone getting frustrated about their partner’s busy work schedule. “I’m sorry that I’m not around as much as you’d like, and please understand that I also miss you when I’m gone. I also really enjoy my work, and this is the balance that gives me the most time with you without shirking my responsibilities at work.”
It can be a genuine display of empathy, or it could be totally dismissive. My point is that saying “sorry” doesn’t need to be an admission of guilt, but it does need to show that you care about the other person’s feelings.
I am forced to disagree with the first point of your assessment.
empathy
[em-puh-thee]
Phonetic (Standard)IPA
noun
Even if someone were actually sorry about how another person feels, that is very different from psychological identification with how the other person feels, or vicariously experiencing what the other person feels. At best, “I’m sorry you feel that way” is an expression of pity and/or condescension.
Again, that comes down to how it’s communicated. For example, of someone’s parent dies, dropping by to say, “I’m really sorry you have to go through this. I’ve been there and know how much it sucks. If you’d like to talk, I’m always available.”
That takes the form of an apology, while not apologizing for anything and instead recognizing, validating, and offering help with their feelings.
That’s obviously and extreme example, but I think it demonstrates my point.
Another more realistic example in a relationship would be someone getting frustrated about their partner’s busy work schedule. “I’m sorry that I’m not around as much as you’d like, and please understand that I also miss you when I’m gone. I also really enjoy my work, and this is the balance that gives me the most time with you without shirking my responsibilities at work.”