Harmonising empathy: A critical exploration of Empathy Pathways: A View from Music Therapy by Andeline dos Santos
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Keywords
Book review, empathy, expressive art therapy, decoloniality
Abstract
"Harmonizing Empathy - A Critical Exploration of Empathy Pathways: A View from Music Therapy" reviews this important book by music therapist and scholar, Andeline dos Santos. The book delves into empathy as a foundational concept in therapeutic practice, especially within music therapy. Dos Santos critiques conventional, individualistic models of empathy, proposing a pluralistic and contextual framework instead. She introduces four pathways—Insightful, Translational, Empathizing Assemblage, and Relational Empathy—each rooted in distinct philosophical traditions. These pathways are intended to guide therapists in understanding and fostering empathy across different contexts.
Dos Santos draws on interdisciplinary fields such as philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and indigenous knowledge systems. The book, thus, offers a nuanced view of empathy as an emotional and cognitive process embedded in cultural and social contexts. Dos Santos emphasizes the significance of cultural humility and pluriversality. However, her engagement with decolonial perspectives remains underdeveloped.
Empathy Pathways provides rich theoretical contributions. However, the text’s reliance on Euro-American frameworks and limited citation of African scholars is a disappointment. Despite its intellectual depth, the book presents challenges in accessibility and practical applicability, especially for readers without a background in philosophy. Its exploration of relational empathy and practical music therapy strategies, including musical mirroring and improvisation, holds relevance for practitioners, urging them toward reflexivity and cultural responsiveness in therapeutic settings.
Overall, Empathy Pathways offers a significant contribution to the field of music therapy and empathy studies. It pushes the boundaries of empathy research toward greater critical engagement with cultural contexts and relational dynamics. Its potential could be enhanced by deeper engagement with decolonial thought and more attention to global perspectives, particularly from the Global South.
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References
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Sinethemba Makanya, University of Johannesburg
Sinethemba Makanya is a senior lecturer in the Art Therapy program at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD in medical and health humanities and psychology from the Wits Institute of Social and Economic Research. She completed her Masters in Drama Therapy at New York University.