Imagine witnessing a loved one in pain. You wince, your own body mimicking their discomfort. This isn’t mere coincidence; it’s the work of mirror neurons, specialized cells that fire both when we perform an action and when we observe it in others. They allow us to step into someone else’s shoes, experiencing their emotions as if they were our own. This shared neural experience fuels empathy, the cornerstone of altruism. When we see another’s struggles reflected in our minds, the line between “self” and “other” blurs, paving the way for a compassionate response.