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Psychology Colloquium Series

“Against Empathy” by Paul Bloom, Yale University

Event Details

Date
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Time
4 p.m.
Location
Brogden Psychology Building
Description
Many psychologists, philosophers, and laypeople believe that empathy is necessary for moral judgment and moral action—the only problem with empathy is that we sometimes don’t have enough of it. Drawing on research into psychopathy, criminal behavior, charitable giving, infant cognition, cognitive neuroscience, and Buddhist meditation practices, I’ll argue that this is mistaken. Empathy is a poor moral guide. It is biased, short-sighted, and innumerate—we are better off without it.

Cost
Free

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