"Simon, can we really understand other people's feelings?"
Noa asked while sitting on a bench.
"Philosophical question," Simon smiled. "The 'problem of other minds.'"
"What do you mean?"
"We can't directly access others' inner lives. So we can only imagine."
Noa thought. "But empathy is feeling someone else's emotions, right?"
"That's what's interesting," Simon explained. "Empathy projects your own experience."
"Projects?"
"You imagine 'if I were in their position.' But is that really their feeling?"
Noa was surprised. "It's not?"
"It might be similar. But not necessarily identical."
"So empathy is an illusion?"
Simon shook his head. "Not an illusion. But it has limits."
Noa wrote in her notebook. "Limits of empathy."
"For example," Simon said. "You see a sad friend. You think, 'They're sad.'"
"Right."
"But the quality, depth, and reason for that sadness. Do they all match your understanding?"
"...I don't know."
"Right. So empathy is an approximation. Not complete understanding."
Noa asked seriously. "So completely understanding others is impossible?"
"Philosophically, yes," Simon admitted. "But that's okay."
"Okay?"
"Complete understanding isn't necessary. It might even be dangerous."
"Why?"
"The moment you think you 'completely understand' someone, dialogue stops."
Noa nodded. "It becomes fixed?"
"Yes. You decide 'this person is like this.' But people change."
"So continuing to try to understand is what matters?"
"Exactly," Simon smiled. "Understanding as a process."
Noa looked out the window. "But sometimes I feel like we really understand each other."
"That's also true," Simon acknowledged. "Called intersubjectivity."
"Intersubjectivity?"
"Between subjectivities, shared meaning emerges."
Noa was interested. "Understanding just between two people?"
"Yes. Something definitely shared, though inexpressible in words."
"Is that telepathy?"
Simon laughed. "More mundane but deeper. Happens with longtime friends or family."
Noa pondered. "Understanding before words?"
"Words are used. But there's something beyond words."
"Like what?"
"Silence communicates. Eye contact conveys. Reading the atmosphere."
Noa nodded. "Like communicating with Mio."
"She's a good example," Simon agreed. "Because few words, other channels open."
"But misunderstandings happen too."
"Of course," Simon admitted. "That's why confirmation is needed."
"Confirmation?"
"Ask 'Is this what you think?' Verify imagination with words."
Noa wrote in her notebook. "Imagine → verbalize → confirm."
"Good process."
"So understanding others is a dialogue process?"
"Yes. Not one-sided. Two-way."
Noa asked seriously. "Simon, do you understand me?"
Simon thought. "I think I understand parts. But not everything."
"You're honest."
"Honesty is the path to real understanding."
Noa smiled. "Then we need to talk more."
"Yes. And listen more."
"Listening matters too?"
"Half of understanding is listening," Simon stated. "Not imposing your imagination, but receiving their words."
"But some things can't be put into words."
"That's when imagination is needed. But humble imagination."
Noa asked. "Humble imagination?"
"Imagination that doesn't presume understanding. Always thinking, 'maybe I'm wrong.'"
Noa took a deep breath. "Understanding others is difficult, but that's what makes it interesting?"
"Exactly," Simon nodded. "Complete understanding is impossible. But we can approach it."
"Keep approaching?"
"Forever."
Noa laughed. "Very philosophical."
"Relationships are philosophy in practice."
They walked in silence. Imagining others' thoughts is also knowing yourself.
Noa whispered. "We can't become others, but we can approach them."
Simon smiled. "Good conclusion."
That conclusion creates new questions. That's dialogue.