Empathy vs Intellectualism - By Amansankhya

Written By: Amansankhya

Category: Essay

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the thought-provoking essay "Empathy vs Intellectualism," Amansankhya delves into the intricate balance between intellectualism and empathy. As part of the Essay category in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, this piece examines the societal implications of valuing intellect over empathy. Through a reflective narrative, Amansankhya explores how traditional educational systems and societal norms shape our understanding of knowledge and superiority.

About the Work

"Empathy vs Intellectualism" challenges the reader to reconsider the often unbalanced emphasis on intellectual achievement over emotional understanding. With a personal touch, Amansankhya critiques the societal tendency to equate knowledge with superiority. The essay invites readers to embrace discomfort in learning, fostering a culture where multiple perspectives coexist harmoniously without hierarchy.

Empathy vs Intellectualism

Original Submission by Amansankhya

Empathy vs Intellectualism

The term “anti-intellectualism” has become something I hear almost every day (coming second to the word protein). What’s funny to me is that it is overwhelmingly uttered by people who haven’t picked up a real book since 6th grade. Now, while I do agree it is a concerning issue that people don’t read as much as they used to, I believe that the true meaning of intellectualism is overlooked.

Intellectualism is defined as “the mental perspective that emphasises the use, development, and exercise of the intellect and is identified with the life of the mind of the intellectual”, focusing on rationalism and empiricism, the two ways of critically looking at knowledge and the world.

This is also what our system instills in us from a very young age. Being the smartest in the room, getting the first rank in class - all these are deeply rooted in the assumption that if you know more about some particular topic than someone else, you are thus better than everyone else. We have internalised these rankings to the point where it is the reality of our societal structure. So while anti-intellectualism is to be addressed as a very real problem, the current state of declining intellectualism must also be addressed.

For me, I think the process of questioning the concepts of intellectualism (and the antithesis of it) started back in school, when I was called stupid for not understanding math. Any other talent I had was ignored, and I had to struggle to keep up with the “smarter” set of my class. This culture was so normalised that in the 15 years of my schooling, I was branded as “dumb”, no matter what I had achieved outside the margin.

The idea that you are inherently better than someone just because you know something that they don’t is something that needs to be unlearnt so that the epistemology model is humanised. It doesn’t make you superior. It doesn’t make you a better person (maybe better at some things). From what I’ve seen it only makes you arrogant and insensitive. Noticeably, everyone’s more concerned about being right than being informed, but the art of learning and the curiosity of wanting to know things can exist on their own without having to prove anything to anyone.

“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” - Malorie Blackman

Owe it to yourself without needing to consider other people’s expectations of what to think or follow. Let what you read or learn make you uncomfortable. Let it make you think. Let it make you feel frustrated, leave you confused and be difficult to understand. Let it open your consciousness so that you realise perspectives are meant to co-exist without one being superior over the other.

-Amansankhya

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices and stories from around the globe. This prestigious event offers a platform for writers to explore a wide range of themes and styles. Participants are encouraged to push boundaries and share their unique perspectives, making it a vibrant and enriching experience for all involved.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Amansankhya for their insightful contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. "Empathy vs Intellectualism" is a profound exploration of societal values and intellectual discourse. We appreciate Amansankhya's thoughtfulness and invite readers to reflect on the themes presented in this compelling essay.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.