In this interview, Anita Nowak talks about her PhD
dissertation titled 'Introducing a Pedagogy of Empathic Action
as Informed by Social Entrepreneurs.''
"I contend that our innate human empathy can be leveraged as a tool of
social change through the practice of Empathic Action. Furthermore I argue
that a Pedagogy of Empathic Action offers the best means by which to
foster this."
The dissertation
addresses five questions;
What is empathy?
What is Empathic Action?
Acting on empathy for another/others.
What group of individuals is already
practicing Empathic Action?
How might narrative inquiry
interviews with such individuals inform a Pedagogy of Empathic Action?
The power of
empathy: Anita Nowak at TEDxMontrealWomen
"Empathy is the most positively disruptive force on the planet -- but
only when it leads to Empathic Action. In this talk, we will explore how
empathy can be leveraged for the ultimate win-win: personal well-being
and social good."
(Video
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Outline of the Thesis
INTRODUCING
A PEDAGOGY OF EMPATHIC ACTION
AS INFORMED BY SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
ANITA THERESA NOWAK
Department of Integrated Studies in Education
Overview: I contend that our innate
human empathy can be leveraged as a tool of social change through
the practise of
Empathic Action. Furthermore I argue that a Pedagogy of Empathic Action
offers
the best means by which to foster this.
5 Questions
What is empathy?
What is Empathic Action?
Acting on empathy for another/others.
What group of individuals is already
practicing Empathic Action?
How might narrative inquiry
interviews with such individuals inform a Pedagogy of Empathic Action?
What are the broad strokes of such a
pedagogical approach?
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Opening remarks p. 1
1.1 Articulating a research problem and my three research questions p. 5
1.2 Organization of the chapters p. 8
1.2.1 Chapter 2: Understanding empathy through a literature review p. 8
1.2.2 Chapter 3: Exploring social entrepreneurship through
a second
literature review p. 9
1.2.3 Chapter 4: Narrative inquiry as a methodology and
a discussion of
my
research findings p. 10
1.2.4 Chapter 5: Introducing a pedagogy of empathic action p. 10
1.2.5 Chapter 6: Conclusion p. 11
CHAPTER 2: UNDERSTANDING EMPATHY
THROUGH A LITERATURE
REVIEW 2.0 Opening remarks p. 12 2.1 Defining empathy p. 12
2.1.1 Tracing the differences between pity, sympathy, compassion &
empathy 2.2 The conceptual evolution of the term empathy p. 21
2.2.1 Empathy in the era of early Chinese philosophy p. 21
2.2.2 Empathy in the era of scholasticism p. 22
2.2.3 Empathy in the era of empiricism p. 22
2.2.4 Empathy in the era of the enlightenment p. 23
2.2.5 Empathy in the era of post-rationalism p. 23
2.2.6 Empathy in the era of modern aesthetics p. 24
2.2.7 Empathy in the era of hermeneutics p. 25
2.2.8 Empathy in the era of modern psychology, psychotherapy & health p.
25
2.2.9 Empathy and neuroscience p. 27
2.2.10 Empathy and evolution p. 28
2.2.11 Empathy and the nature vs. nurture debate p. 29
2.2.12 Empathy and intersubjectivity/phenomenology p. 32
2.2.13 Empathy and sustainability p. 34
2.3.14 Empathy, morality and justice p. 35
2.2.15 Empathy and public policy p. 36 2.3 Empathy and education p. 38
2.3.1 Examples of empathy-oriented programs and curriculum p. 39
2.3.2 Four pro empathy-education scholars p. 41
2.3.2.1 Nel Noddings p. 41
2.3.2.2 Matthew Schertz p. 45
2.3.2.3 Megan Boler p. 48
2.3.2.4 Susan Verducci p. 50 2.4 Introducing and conceptualizing ‘Empathic Action’ p. 52
CHAPTER 3: EXPLORING SOCIAL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH A
SECOND LITERATURE REVIEW
3.0 Opening remarks p. 56
3.1 Defining entrepreneurship p. 57
3.2 Understanding the context that gave rise to social entrepreneurship
p. 58
3.3 Defining social entrepreneurship p. 62
3.4 Social entrepreneurship aligned with Empathic Action p. 73
CHAPTER 4: NARRATIVE INQUIRY AS A
METHODOLOGY AND A
DISCUSSION OF MY RESEARCH FINDINGS
4.0 Opening remarks p. 77
4.1 The narrative turn p. 79
4.2 My chosen research methodology p. 81
4.2.1 My data collection process p. 81
4.2.2 My research participants p. 83
4.3 The significance of my research p. 89
4.4 My narrative inquiry findings p. 91
4.5 Analysis and discussion p. 141
CHAPTER 5: INTRODUCING A PEDAGOGY OF
EMPATHIC ACTION
5.0 Opening remarks p. 151
5.1 Critical pedagogy p. 152
5.1.1 Banking p. 154
5.1.2 Student-centered dialogue and
problem-posing
5.1.3 Conscientization p. 158
5.1.4 Praxis p. 159
5.2 Pedagogy of the privileged p. 162
5.2.1 Confidence-shaking and confidence-building p. 165
5.3 Social justice education p. 169
5.3.1 Educating for a new consciousness p. 171
5.3.2 Global citizenship education p. 172
5.3.3 Education for sustainable development & socioecological justice p.
173
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION
6.0 Opening remarks p. 176
6.1 Research significance p. 179
6.2 Limitations and suggested research for the future p. 180
6.4 Parting thoughts p. 181
The power of empathy: Anita Nowak
at TEDxMontrealWomen
"Empathy is the most positively disruptive force on the planet -- but
only when it leads to Empathic Action. In this talk, we will explore how
empathy can be leveraged for the ultimate win-win: personal well-being
and social good."
I talk with students: Trip on Spaceship to earth
many problems of the world
People deal with this differently
resignation
or engage
Light of a single candle
The Role of Empathy
lottery metaphor - role of chance of birth
ovarian lottery
Workshop - woman felt empowered
Cognitive empathy - imagine yourself in someone else
shoes
Affective empathy - feel what someone else is feeling
