The War for Kindness

by jamil zaki • 2020

Empathy has been on people's mind a lot lately. Philosophers, evolutionary scientists and indeed former President Obama agree that an increase in empathy could advance us beyond the hatred, violence and polarisation in which the world seems caught. Others disagree, arguing it is easiest to empathise with people who look, talk or think like us. As a result, empathy can inspire nepotism, racism and worse. Having studied the neuroscience and psychology of empathy for over a decade, Jamil Zaki thinks both sides of this debate have a point. He lays out a very different view of how empathy works, one that breaks these two assumptions. Empathy is not a reflex; it's a choice. This book will give you a deepened understanding of how empathy works, how to control it and how to become the type of empathiser you want to be.