Against Empathy

The belief that being able to empathize with others will make us kinder is one of the most common misconceptions about empathy. Yale researcher Paul Bloom reveals in his book AGAINST EMPATHY that the truth is quite different. Bloom explains why empathy appeals to our narrow prejudices and often leads to cruelty. He proves that empathy is a capricious and irrational emotion that muddles our judgment. We are at our best when we are smart enough not to rely on it, but to draw instead upon more distanced compassion.