Is guilt a form of empathy?

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There was an old lady that couldn't get into the bus, and I saw it too late so I didn't open the door and I felt bad about it for a second. Is this empathy?

I imagine that, during that very short time, you understood how that woman would or could feel in that situation. So yes, some kind of empathic response took place. I doubt people devoid of empathy feel much guilt. I'm no expert though.

In a word, yes.

I suppose that empathy is feeling any of a vast range of feelings (which could be guilt, or happiness or sadness or frustration etc. etc.) on behalf of someone else; i.e. it's not something directly affecting you (you weren't concerned about the door on your own behalf) but affects you vicariously because of caring about or feeling for someone else.

You were feeling empathy, and sorry. Not really guilt, because you didn't do anything wrong to feel guilty about.

Definitely empathy. Guilt? Dunno...

There was a time I was heading back to the office after completing an errand. While walking I vaguely noticed an elderly man at the corner who seemed to be having trouble negotiating over the curb to get back onto the sidewalk. Before I got there he toppled backwards. I can still hear his skull bouncing off the asphalt.

Felt pretty guilty about not breaking into a run to get there before he toppled. There I was, walking in my own world, head up my bum, and this poor guy topples like a felled tree to the ground. Still feel it sometimes when my mind drifts to that day.

If it is, I'm the most empathetic person that exists.

I somehow don't think so.

Well I must have strong empathy then because I am constantly feeling guilty about other people, and never about myself.

I don't think guilt is a form of empathy. I feel guilty whenever I end up not doing something I really should have done. Or the reverse.

There's two kinds of emapthy. Cognitive empathy is knowing, affective empathy is caring. Guilt is a sign of affective empathy.

I've always thought guilty ment you were in some kind of trouble and needed a lawyer
sorry would be a more appropriate word i think

I think you felt sympathy; aspies have no problems regarding this. Empathy (in scientific terms) means that you put yourself in their shoes and see the situation from their perspective. I have problems with this.

I agree with the majority of users here that you are indeed feeling empathy for this woman as you felt sorry for her not getting on.
Though you should not feel guilt as the bus driver is responsible for their customers.

i dunno, to me, guilt is just that internalized parental figure, or the angel on your shoulder, if you like. it scolds you for breaking a rule, or not fulfilling a duty. empathy, like someone else already put it, is putting yourself in someone else's shoes. the two could definitely overlap, but i don't think that makes them the same thing.

that is to say, you could react to that same scenario three different ways. a) empathy, no guilt
"Man, it must be so difficult to get around in that condition. I know I'd want help if I was her. But I didn't see it in time, so there's nothing I could have really done. Oh well."

b) guilt, no empathy
"I should have helped that woman on the bus. Damnit. Though I don't see why it should necessarily be me, or why anyone should need so much help. But still, the fact is, I didn't do my duty."

c) both (as in how you reacted, no need to restate it)