Critically acclaimed

Already read? Rate it!

Against empathy

the case for rational compassion

byPaul Bloom

Genres: Sociology Politics Social Justice Cultural Studies Sociology of the Internet

Who is this book for? Readers interested in psychology, social issues, and moral philosophy.

Topics BiasEthicsMoralityRationalityDecision-makingAltruismSocial justiceCognitive scienceMoral philosophyHuman behaviorCompassionSocial Class

MoodReflective

"We often think of our capacity to experience the suffering of others as the ultimate source of goodness. Many of our wisest policy-makers, activists, scientists, and philosophers agree that the only problem with empathy is that we don't have enough of it. Nothing could be farther from the truth, argues Yale researcher Paul Bloom. In Against Empathy, Bloom reveals empathy to be one of the leading motivators of inequality and immorality in society. Far from helping us to improve the lives of others, empathy is a capricious and irrational emotion that appeals to our narrow prejudices. It muddles our judgment and, ironically, often leads to cruelty. We are at our best when we are smart enough not to rely on it, but to draw instead upon a more distanced compassion. Basing his argument on groundbreaking scientific findings, Bloom makes the case that some of the worst decisions made by individuals and nations--whom to give money to, when to go to war, how to respond to climate change, and whom to imprison--are too often motivated by honest, yet misplaced, emotions. With precision and wit, he demonstrates how empathy distorts our judgment in every aspect of our lives, from philanthropy and charity to the justice system and from medical care and education to parenting and marriage. Without empathy, Bloom insists, our decisions would be clearer, fairer, and--yes--ultimately more moral."--Dust jacket flap.

Language

Published on

01/01/2016

Pages

285

Format

Hardcover

ISBN

9780062339331

Price Comparison

9.39 €

9.79 €

10.99 £

13.99 €

Books similar to “Against empathy”

If you enjoyed reading “Against empathy” by Paul Bloom, you may also like some of the following books.

Judith OrloffThe Empath's Survival Guide

The Empath's Survival Guide

Judith Orloff

Leslie JamisonThe Empathy Exams

The Empathy Exams

Leslie Jamison

John E. BradshawHealing the Shame That Binds You

Healing the Shame That Binds You

John E. Bradshaw

Bianca SparacinoThe Strength in Our Scars

The Strength in Our Scars

Bianca Sparacino

Timothy J. KellerWalking with God through Pain and Suffering

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

Timothy J. Keller

Christopher K. GermerThe Mindful Path to Self-Compassion

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion

Christopher K. Germer

Matt RidleyThe Origins of Virtue

The Origins of Virtue

Matt Ridley

Jamil ZakiHope for Cynics

Hope for Cynics

Jamil Zaki

Social Justice

Social Justice books explore the pressing issues of equality, rights, and fairness in society. These works delve into the struggles and triumphs of marginalized groups, offering readers a chance to understand and advocate for change.

Hein de HaasHow Migration Really Works

How Migration Really Works

by Hein de Haas

Cat BohannonEve

Eve

by Cat Bohannon

Yascha MounkThe Identity Trap

The Identity Trap

by Yascha Mounk

Ruby HamadWhite Tears Brown Scars

White Tears Brown Scars

by Ruby Hamad

Zakiya Dalila HarrisThe Other Black Girl

The Other Black Girl

by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Esther Mayoko Ortega Arjonilla, Matilde Pérez, Rafia ZakariaAgainst White Feminism

Against White Feminism

by Esther Mayoko Ortega Arjonilla, Matilde Pérez et al.

Amia SrinivasanThe Right to Sex

The Right to Sex

by Amia Srinivasan

Shon FayeThe Transgender Issue

The Transgender Issue

by Shon Faye

Calla HenkelOther People's Clothes

Other People's Clothes

by Calla Henkel

Toni MorrisonThe Bluest Eye

The Bluest Eye

by Toni Morrison

Koa BeckWhite Feminism

White Feminism

by Koa Beck

Ijeoma OluoMediocre

Mediocre

by Ijeoma Oluo

Nell FrizzellThe Panic Years

The Panic Years

by Nell Frizzell

Michael J. SandelThe Tyranny of Merit

The Tyranny of Merit

by Michael J. Sandel

Noreena HertzThe Lonely Century

The Lonely Century

by Noreena Hertz

Pandora SykesHow Do We Know We're Doing It Right?

How Do We Know We're Doing It Right?

by Pandora Sykes

Kiley ReidSuch a Fun Age

Such a Fun Age

by Kiley Reid

Saidiya V. HartmanWayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments

Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments

by Saidiya V. Hartman

George M. JohnsonAll Boys Aren't Blue

All Boys Aren't Blue

by George M. Johnson

Virginia WoolfA Room of One's Own

A Room of One's Own

by Virginia Woolf

Mikki KendallHood Feminism

Hood Feminism

by Mikki Kendall

Show all

Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies examines how culture shapes and is shaped by societal forces. Readers will enjoy exploring the interplay between culture, power, and identity, gaining insights into how cultural norms and practices affect everyday life.

Luis H. FranciaThe Eye Of The Fish

The Eye Of The Fish

by Luis H. Francia

Roel SterckxChinese Thought

Chinese Thought

by Roel Sterckx

Anthony Bourdain, Laurie WooleverWorld Travel

World Travel

by Anthony Bourdain, Laurie Woolever

Greg JennerDead Famous

Dead Famous

by Greg Jenner

Owen Peter JonesChavs

Chavs

by Owen Peter Jones

Peter PomerantsevThis Is Not Propaganda

This Is Not Propaganda

by Peter Pomerantsev

Frantz FanonBlack Skin, White Masks

Black Skin, White Masks

by Frantz Fanon

Paul BloomAgainst Empathy

Against Empathy

by Paul Bloom

Ziad MunsonAbortion Politics

Abortion Politics

by Ziad Munson

Peter MoskowitzHow to Kill a City

How to Kill a City

by Peter Moskowitz

Kate MillettSexual Politics

Sexual Politics

by Kate Millett

Joshua David GreeneMoral Tribes

Moral Tribes

by Joshua David Greene

Azar NafisiReading Lolita in Tehran

Reading Lolita in Tehran

by Azar Nafisi

Jesse BeringPerv

Perv

by Jesse Bering

Morgan SpurlockDon't Eat This Book

Don't Eat This Book

by Morgan Spurlock

Judith HalberstamThe Queer Art of Failure

The Queer Art of Failure

by Judith Halberstam

John Caiger, Richard MasonHistory of Japan

History of Japan

by John Caiger, Richard Mason

Maryann DickarCorridor Cultures

Corridor Cultures

by Maryann Dickar

Kath WoodwardBoxing, Masculinity and Identity

Boxing, Masculinity and Identity

by Kath Woodward

Karen Fog OlwigGlobal Culture, Island Identity

Global Culture, Island Identity

by Karen Fog Olwig

Marcel MaussThe Gift

The Gift

by Marcel Mauss

Show all

Sociology of the Internet

Sociology of the Internet investigates the impact of digital technologies on social interactions. This subgenre is ideal for readers interested in how the internet transforms communication, community building, and personal identity.

Mario Luis SmallSomeone To Talk To

Someone To Talk To

by Mario Luis Small

Gretchen McCullochBecause Internet

Because Internet

by Gretchen McCulloch

Michael Calvin, Thomas BjøMind Game

Mind Game

by Michael Calvin, Thomas Bjø

Show all

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

J. K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

by J. K. Rowling

Veronica RothDivergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Delia OwensWhere the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

Where the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

by Delia Owens

Anthony DoerrAll the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

Frank HerbertDune

Dune

by Frank Herbert

William GoldingLord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Charlotte BrontëJane Eyre

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Brontë

V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab, Victoria SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab et al.

E. B. White, Guillermo Solana AlonsoCharlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White, Guillermo Solana Alonso

Madeline MillerCirce

Circe

by Madeline Miller

John SteinbeckOf Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck

Bram StokerDracula

Dracula

by Bram Stoker

Christopher PaoliniEragon

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Christina Lamb, Malala YousafzaiI Am Malala

I Am Malala

by Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

Taylor Jenkins ReidDaisy Jones and The Six

Daisy Jones and The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jennifer L. ArmentroutFrom Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Kurt VonnegutSlaughterhouse 5

Slaughterhouse 5

by Kurt Vonnegut

Holly JacksonA Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

by Holly Jackson

Madeleine L'EngleA Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

André AcimanCall Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

by André Aciman

Charles Dixon, J.R.R. TolkienThe Hobbit

The Hobbit

by Charles Dixon, J.R.R. Tolkien

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . Montgomery

Karen M. McManusOne of Us Is Lying

One of Us Is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Patrick RothfussThe Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 1

Heartstopper Volume 1

by Alice Oseman

Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas

William ShakespeareHamlet

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Roald DahlCharlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Show all

Sociology

Dive into the fascinating world of sociology books, where the complexities of human society are unraveled. From groundbreaking theories to insightful analyses, these books offer a deep dive into the social structures that shape our lives.

Rebecca SklootThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot

Cristina Lizarbe, Ibram X. KendiHow To Be an Antiracist

How To Be an Antiracist

by Cristina Lizarbe, Ibram X. Kendi

Upton SinclairThe Jungle (The Norton Library)

The Jungle (The Norton Library)

by Upton Sinclair

Jon RonsonSo You've Been Publicly Shamed

So You've Been Publicly Shamed

by Jon Ronson

Andrea ElliottInvisible Child

Invisible Child

by Andrea Elliott

Naomi KleinDoppelganger

Doppelganger

by Naomi Klein

Jess HillSee What You Made Me Do

See What You Made Me Do

by Jess Hill

Barbara DemickNothing To Envy

Nothing To Envy

by Barbara Demick

Jean-Jacques RousseauDiscourse on the Origin of Inequality

Discourse on the Origin of Inequality

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Fabián Chueca, Jared Diamond, (MEI )DAI MENG DE (Diamond J. ) XIE YAN GUANG YIGuns, Germs and Steel

Guns, Germs and Steel

by Fabián Chueca, Jared Diamond et al.

Caroline Criado PerezInvisible Women

Invisible Women

by Caroline Criado Perez

Ana Camallonga, Reni Eddo-LodgeWhy I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

by Ana Camallonga, Reni Eddo-Lodge

Ijeoma OluoSo You Want to Talk About Race

So You Want to Talk About Race

by Ijeoma Oluo

Jonathan Safran FoerEating Animals

Eating Animals

by Jonathan Safran Foer

Randy ShiltsAnd the Band Played On

And the Band Played On

by Randy Shilts

J. K. Rowling, Tom HollanderThe Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy

by J. K. Rowling, Tom Hollander

James Baldwin, Raoul PeckI Am Not Your Negro

I Am Not Your Negro

by James Baldwin, Raoul Peck

Beth MacyDopesick

Dopesick

by Beth Macy

Jay ShettyThink Like a Monk

Think Like a Monk

by Jay Shetty

Aziz Ansari, Eric KlinenbergModern Romance

Modern Romance

by Aziz Ansari, Eric Klinenberg

Enrique Maldonado Roldn, Matthew DesmondEvicted

Evicted

by Enrique Maldonado Roldn, Matthew Desmond

Barbara Ehrenreich, B. EHRENREICHNickel and Dimed

Nickel and Dimed

by Barbara Ehrenreich, B. EHRENREICH

Michael PollanIn Defence of Food

In Defence of Food

by Michael Pollan

Layla SaadMe and White Supremacy

Me and White Supremacy

by Layla Saad

Frances ChaIf I Had Your Face

If I Had Your Face

by Frances Cha

Caitlin DoughtyWill My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?

by Caitlin Doughty

Naomi WolfThe Beauty Myth

The Beauty Myth

by Naomi Wolf

Katherine BooBehind the Beautiful Forevers

Behind the Beautiful Forevers

by Katherine Boo

Betty FriedanThe Feminine Mystique

The Feminine Mystique

by Betty Friedan

Neil PostmanAmusing Ourselves to Death

Amusing Ourselves to Death

by Neil Postman

Show all

Politics

Delve into the world of politics books that illuminate the intricate workings of power and governance. Whether you're a seasoned political analyst or a curious newcomer, these works offer insights into past and present political landscapes.