Theology at the Bottleworks: “Having Empathy - a Strength or a Weakness?”

Theology At the Bottleworks #249
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (Third Wednesday of Month as Always!)
6:30 p.m. at Schlafly Bottleworks Crown Room

Theology at the Bottleworks is the longest-running discussion series in St. Louis - we’re almost 21 years old. Each month we discuss a topic that’s interesting and matters to everyone. This month we will discuss “Empathy - a Strength or a Weakness?” A recent article noted that America has an empathy deficiit - people lack the sense that others care. Others argue that empathy is a flaw or weakness which leads to poor decisions or being exploited, or is merely wallowing in feelings while accomplishing no good. In a stressful world full of good and bad people and overflowing with hot-button issues, should we be fostering or avoiding empathy as a personal trait? Does empathy make the world a better or worse place? Is empathy only an individual matter or can and should your community or country have empathy? Does being empathic lead to better decisions and flourishing, or worse? We’ll discuss all this and more, so come have a brew, give your view and lend an ear to others’.