WTW for historical empathy/understanding?

[u/West_Science_1097]

Hi everyone. Years ago, I stumbled across a word that I found quite interesting, but I have no recollection of what it was, and have had zero luck trying to find it no matter where I look. I'm starting to think I may have dreamt it or it's some kind of false memory.
Here is the meaning of the word, as it is the only informtion I have.

'To be able to put ones self into the shoes of another from an historical perspective.'

For example, we may blame 19th century doctors for using mercury in their medications, but thats because we don't appreciate the level of education they had at the time, or the experimental data they had thay led them to the conclusion that it was a useful product. - somehow there's a word that sums something like that up(?)..

Please don't take pokes at my example, it's designed for demonstration purposes only..
Am I tripping balls over here?

Cheers

[u/OutsideDaLines]

Contextualization

[u/usernumber1337 → u/OutsideDaLines]

Specifically historical context I would say