The Uniqueness of Humans: TED Talk by Robert Sapolsky
Empathy is demonstrated by others in the animal kingdom, but humans have
extended capacity to apply empathy. We can extend empathy across
species, across time and apply to abstract areas.
15:50 Theory of Mind
other people have other thoughts than you
chimpanzees have some of it as well
secondary theory of mind
18:20 Golden Rule
in all cultures
animals that have this as well. tit for
tat revenge
Empathy
other animals show elements of empathy
humans feel empathy for other animals.
empathy for images and animals in paintings
Culture - social atmosphere
story of baboons - the aggressive top hierarchy died
and this changed the culture
Book Review:
Robert
Sapolsky's "The Trouble with Testosterone"
the author addresses the importance of empathy. He says
that empathy is almost always grounded in a face, in individual stories.
This is why we sometimes witness a lack of empathy towards a group of
people who have been exploited. We often prefer news stories in the
media that convey individual lives and problems that people experience
on their own in society. There seems to be a pattern which shows that
the deliverance of empathy is generally adopted and limited toward
individuals.
