The current article is an integrative literature review on the concept and meaning of empathy in society and in medicine. Empathy can be conceptualized as the ability to understand and share in others' emotions while maintaining a distinction between self and others. It makes a difference in our every day relationships and it is considered one of the fundamental elements in the formation and maintenance of social groups, and it drives many aspects of social behavior such as moral sense, child care, and prosocial behavior towards relatives and even complete strangers. This human trait has contributed to the cognitive, linguistic, cultural, social, and technological evolution of the human species. Functional neuroimaging (fMRI) studies of health workers, which examine brain activation patterns in response to empathy-eliciting situations, bring theoretical clarity to the neurocognitive processes underlying emotional and cognitive empathy, interpersonal sensitivity, and caring. Empathetic differences have been observed between sexes, ages, cultures, and interpersonal relationships. The mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of empathy may be related to neural circuits that are activated relatively independently but often interact. These circuits are deeply interwoven in the fabric of the brain. It is well known that empathy plays a critical role in the doctor-patient relationship and has a favorable effect on health outcomes. Currently, there is an issue with the balance between scientific-technical and psychosocial aspects of patient health care. The lack of empathy education, the emphasis on treatment within the current academic culture, the high number of patients that doctors must handle, and also the lack of adequate time are all factors that negatively influence the development of empathy .