Psychology tells us that empathy arises for people who are similar to us, which can have serious implications on our ability to make sound moral judgements, writes Joe Gelonesi. He speaks to empathy sceptic Jesse Prinz about why emotions like anger might be more successful in motivating us to act.
In 2006, US President Barack Obama began a public conversation on a curious human feeling, and he’s been talking about it ever since. Others have been quick to follow suit, making empathy the emotion du jour.
Bookshops swell with empathy self-help publications. Go online, and you’ll find the five types of empathy, and the seven healthy habits of empathetic people.
by Joe Gelonesi
