The Theory of Mind

This is the assumption that others have a mind since man can only assess the existence of their mind by introspection since no one has access to another’s mind. It is base on reciprocal social interaction observed in others and the understanding the emotions and actions of the other. Through this theory, one can attribute mental states of the other person and understand them.

It is an innate potential in primates like humans that needs social experience over many years to develop fully. Different people develop different levels of theory of the mind hence the varying levels of empathy.

In simple terms, it means putting yourself in another person’s shoes, seeing the world from their perspective and acknowledging that they have a different viewpoint from your own.