The philosopher Dr. Elena Voss defines 'radical empathy' as requiring more than simply imagining oneself in another person's place. According to Voss, true empathy demands an active effort to understand the specific social, historical, and economic forces that shape another person's perspective. Critics argue this ideal is psychologically impossible to achieve, but Voss and other proponents maintain that even the attempt to engage in radical empathy can bridge societal divides that traditional political discourse cannot.