�鶹��ý

Skip to content

Comment and Humans

More empathy isn't the right prescription to heal our planet

26 January 2017

Two woman embracing — When it comes to empathy, can you can have too much of good thing?
Thomas Tolstrup/Getty

I just wrote a book called Against Empathy, and some of my friends tell me they are embarrassed to read it in public. Isn’t empathy something only a psychopath would object to?

Many see empathy as an unquestionable force for good; it makes the world a better place. It has been , and there are calls for people to in everyday life, and .

One…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with �鶹��ý events and special offers.

Sign up

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

or

Register for FREE to read this article in full

Register to access free content

More from �鶹��ý

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Mind

Why is it so hard to change your mind?

Comment

The simple questions cracking the hard problem of consciousness

Mind

The simple questions cracking the hard problem of consciousness

Features

Abigail Marsh

Mind

This neuroscientist says some psychopaths wish they were nicer

Features

Mind

Why are we so suspicious of do-gooders?

Comment

1

Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans

2

Largest ever map of universe captures 47 million galaxies and quasars

3

The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation

4

Exclusive report: Inside Chernobyl, 40 years after nuclear disaster

5

Urban living may be causing big changes to our oestrogen levels

6

Monkeys walk around a virtual world using only their thoughts

7

How to spot the Lyrid meteor shower tonight

8

A key solution to climate change isn't happening – and that's good

9

How autoimmune conditions can unexpectedly drive mental illness

10

The rise, the fall and the rebound of cyclic cosmology