Development of the Empathy Index for Symbiotic Living with the Natural Ecosystem - Designing a Measurement Tool Based on Theoretical Validity -

Purpose: Ecological crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution increasingly threaten the sustainability of human life. Addressing these challenges requires a shift toward symbiotic living, in which humans are understood not only as beneficiaries of nature but also as decision-makers whose everyday choices influence ecological stability. This study aims to design an Empathy Index for Symbiotic Living with the Natural Ecosystem (EIS-NE) to diagnose citizens’ symbiotic competence and to provide a conceptual foundation for evaluating symbiosis-oriented education, policy, and environmental interventions. Method: Symbiotic living was conceptualized through a dual-position framework integrating ecological embeddedness with human decision-making agency. The content domain was structured using Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) directly related to natural ecosystems (SDGs 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, and the environmental dimension of SDG 11). Based on multidimensional empathy theory, symbiotic competence was defined as a three-dimensional construct comprising cognitive awareness, emotional sensitivity, and behavioral intention. A theory-driven measurement system was designed in three scalable formats: Extended (36 items), Standard (24 items), and Brief (12 items). Results: The EIS-NE provides a coherent conceptual framework and a multi-scale measurement system that translates symbiotic living into measurable indicators. The index enables diagnostic assessment, pre–post evaluation, and comparative analysis across education, policy, and environmental planning contexts. Future research should focus on empirical validation through expert review, factor analysis, and reliability testing.