In a small discussion group among writers much of our discussion centered around empathy and character development. We all agreed it's the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. As writers and filmmakers it's what we hope to awaken among our readers for our characters.
At roughly the same time, the voice of research professor Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW appeared peppered across the Web and she prompted a further search for other voices addressing empathy. The result is this special collection on empathy which scientists are learning more about as they map the mind and our Society needs more of.
Curated by mokiethecat
The Erosion of Empathy by Simon Baron Cohen |
Simon Baron-Cohen is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge. He discusses the social factors that erode empathy including obedience to authority, idealogical beliefs, stereotyping and de-humanizing a group as an enemy.
He is Director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge. His books include Mindblindness (MIT Press, 1995), The Essential Difference (Penguin UK/Basic Books, 2003), Prenatal Testosterone in Mind (MIT Press, 2005), Zero Degrees of Empathy (Penguin UK/Basic Books, 2011) and Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts (OUP, 2008). He is a Fellow of the BPS and the British Academy. Published on Sep 12, 2012 by TEDxHousesofParliament. EarthSayer Simon Baron-Cohen |