Why I’m against empathy | Paul Bloom

TL;DR

Empathy is a biased and unreliable moral guide, and rational compassion is a better alternative.

Transcript

I'm against empathy. I'm not against empathy for everything, I think empathy is a lot of fun when you're watching a movie, empathy for a fictional character. I think empathy is an important part of all sorts of exciting activities, but I'm against empathy as a moral guide. I think we could do better. The sense of empathy I'm most interested in is w... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦮 Empathy, specifically emotional empathy, is not a reliable moral guide.
• ❓ Empathy is biased and parochial, as we naturally feel more empathy for those who are similar to us.
• 🥺 Empathy can have negative effects and may lead to violence or other troubles.
• ⌛ Intimate relationships may require empathy at times, but there are cases where empathy is not the desired response.
• 💨 Rationality is important in determining the best way to help others.
• ❓ Compassion, combined with rationality, is a better alternative to empathy.
• 👻 Compassion allows for fair and equitable decisions.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the speaker argue against empathy as a moral guide?

The speaker believes that empathy is biased and parochial, causing us to feel more empathy towards those who look like us and speak our language.

Q: What are some objections to the speaker's argument?

One objection is that empathy has positive effects that outweigh the negative ones. Another objection is that empathy is necessary for intimate relationships, where we may want our partner to share our emotions.

Q: What is the substitute for empathy that the speaker proposes?

The speaker suggests a combination of rationality and compassion, where we make rational judgments about how to make the world a better place and combine it with caring and love.

Q: Why does the speaker argue that compassion is superior to empathy?

Compassion is less biased and parochial than empathy, allowing for fairer and more equitable decisions. It allows us to care for others without needing to put ourselves in their shoes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Empathy, specifically emotional empathy, is often seen as a core attribute of a good person, but it is inherently biased and parochial.

• While empathy can have positive effects, it can also lead to negative consequences, such as violence.

• Intimate relationships may require empathy at times, but there are cases where empathy is not what we want or need.