Against empathy: the case for rational compassion

In a divided world, empathy is not the solution, it is the problem; a source of prejudice, not kindness.

We think of empathy as the ultimate source of all good behaviour.

But while it inspires care and protection in personal relationships, it has the opposite effect in the wider world.

As the latest research in psychology and neuroscience shows, we feel empathy most for those we find attractive and who seem similar to us and not at all for those who are different, distant or anonymous.

Empathy therefore biases us in favour of individuals we know while numbing us to the plight of thousands.

Guiding us expertly through the experiments, case studies and arguments on all sides, Paul Bloom reveals that some of our worst decisions, in charity, child-raising, criminal justice, climate change and war, are motivated by this wolf in sheep's clothing.