Our best hope for the future [...] lies in an appreciation of the fact that, even if we donโt empathize with distant strangers, their lives have the same value as the lives of those we love.
Paul BloomFamilies survive the terrible twos because toddlers aren't strong enough to kill with their hands and aren't capable of using lethal weapons.
Paul BloomI think there's some evidence that when it comes to being a doctor or nurse, a police officer or therapist, that empathetic engagement leads to burn-out. Imagine if you're dealing with severely ill children, and you felt their pain all the time, and the pain of their parents - you wouldn't be able to do that job for very long. It would kill you.
Paul BloomI'm very interested in why we do good things, or bad things, and where moral judgments come from.
Paul Bloom