because empathy has been so little nurtured that we steadily lose the values that make us human.
I often feel that empathy has been over-emphasised, where people feel that they are feeling the the right thing for the situation, even if they are not. It can lead to damaging actions. However, what I would like to see more of is compassion. Compassion means recognising someone needs help and helping, even if not feeling a connection to that person. Compassion helps the homeless person, empathy feels for them.
Also, it is true that compassion helps; I believe we need a share of both, empathy and compassion