Against Empathy audiobook cover - The Case for Rational Compassion

Against Empathy

The Case for Rational Compassion

Paul Bloom

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PsychologySex & Relationships

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Against Empathy
Understanding Empathy+
The Flaws of Empathy+
Real-World Dangers+
Better Decision-Making Tools+
Actionable Advice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, how does 'cognitive empathy' differ from 'emotional empathy'?
  • A. Cognitive empathy allows us to feel another person's physical pain, while emotional empathy only relates to their feelings.
  • B. Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand someone's emotional state without actually feeling it yourself.
  • C. Cognitive empathy is only developed in adulthood, whereas emotional empathy is present from birth.
  • D. Cognitive empathy requires personal experience with a tragedy, while emotional empathy relies on imagination.
Question 2 of 7
Why did Zell Kravinsky decide to donate one of his kidneys to a stranger?
  • A. He felt an overwhelming sense of emotional empathy for the recipient's family.
  • B. His religious upbringing compelled him to perform a spiritual act of forgiveness.
  • C. He concluded it was the logical choice because the risk to himself was extremely low compared to the reward of saving a life.
  • D. He wanted to experience the neurological mirroring of the recipient's relief.
Question 3 of 7
How can empathy lead to dangerous or harmful outcomes on a large scale?
  • A. It causes people to become completely emotionally numb to all global tragedies over time.
  • B. It can compel us to make decisions that protect a single relatable victim while inadvertently harming a vast majority.
  • C. It prevents people from being able to understand the cognitive state of those they are trying to help.
  • D. It encourages individuals to donate exclusively to large international organizations rather than local charities.
Question 4 of 7
What does the book suggest is a major flaw in how empathy influences charitable giving, such as with the Make-A-Wish Foundation?
  • A. It focuses heavily on short-term, emotionally satisfying results rather than rational, long-term impact.
  • B. It relies entirely on cognitive empathy, which alienates donors who want a personal connection.
  • C. It directs too much money toward foreign aid, neglecting domestic issues.
  • D. It causes donors to become overly suspicious of how their money is being spent.
Question 5 of 7
Based on Jean Decety's 'Blame Game' study and Grit Hein's soccer fan study, which of the following significantly reduces a person's empathetic response?
  • A. When the person suffering is from a different country.
  • B. When the observer has previously experienced the exact same type of pain.
  • C. When the observer believes the victim brought the misfortune upon themselves or belongs to a rival group.
  • D. When the tragedy involves a large number of victims rather than a single individual.
Question 6 of 7
What neurological mechanism is responsible for us feeling disgust or pain when we witness someone else experiencing it?
  • A. The prefrontal cortex
  • B. Mirror neurons
  • C. Cognitive dissonance
  • D. The amygdala
Question 7 of 7
What does the author's observation of the 2014 protests regarding police violence against black citizens illustrate about empathy?
  • A. Empathy is universally applied when highly publicized tragedies occur.
  • B. Empathy is completely absent in highly stressful, confrontational situations.
  • C. Exhibiting one-sided empathy can narrow our mindset and actually worsen a conflict.
  • D. Only cognitive empathy can resolve deep-seated societal issues.

Against Empathy — Full Chapter Overview

Against Empathy Summary & Overview

Against Empathy (2016) provides a wealth of scientific research to show empathy for what it really is: a flawed emotional reaction that has led countless people to make bad decisions. While many voices have called for others to have more empathy, Paul Bloom shows us that empathy can make things worse rather than better.

Who Should Listen to Against Empathy?

 

  • Students of psychology and philosophy
  • Readers who want to learn more about empathy
  • Fans of true crime stories

About the Author: Paul Bloom

Paul Bloom is a professor at Yale University and a leading psychologist who specializes in the study of how ethics, religion and language influence people’s perceptions. His writing has been published in leading outlets such as the New York Times, the Guardian and Slate. He is the author of Just Babies, How Pleasure Works and Descartes’ Baby.

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