It means being able to see a situation as someone else sees it, particularly when it is a perspective different from one's own. Empathetic perception is necessary before one can understand the implications of one's actions on other people. The development of empathy is facilitated by the social competence of a child and by exposure to an authoritative style of parenting. However, simply having an empathetic ability is not sufficient. One must also be willing to act upon one's empathetic perceptions.
Hogan suggests that two types of experience contribute to the development of empathetic behavior.
First, one must him or herself have been the recipient of empathetic treatment by others. Second, one must have personal experience with the effects of non-empathetic treatment, e.g., injustice and ridicule. Autonomy , in moral behavior, is characterized by independent action based on a personal sense of duty. To be autonomous is to understand that the reasons for one's actions are never fully conscious. One recognizes that self-deception about one's motives is always a possibility.