The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty

The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty

by Simon Baron-Cohen
The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty

The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty

by Simon Baron-Cohen

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Overview

An award-winning psychologist draws on years of research to unveil “a simple but persuasive hypothesis for a new way to think about evil.” ―New York Times 

How can we explain both cruelty and kindness? To award-winning psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen, the explanation for cruelty is low levels of empathy, and the explanation for kindness is high levels of empathy. In The Science of Evil, Baron-Cohen draws on decades of research to develop a new, brain-based theory of human cruelty and kindness. He explores the social and biological factors that can influence our empathy levels, explains the key distinction between cognitive and affective forms of empathy, and shows how low empathy can lead to dehumanizing behavior. Featuring a new introduction by the author, The Science of Evil will continue to challenge our understanding of human cruelty. 


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780465023806
Publisher: Basic Books
Publication date: 05/06/2011
Sold by: Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format: eBook
Pages: 256
Sales rank: 572,992
File size: 9 MB
Age Range: 13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Simon Baron-Cohen is a professor of developmental psychopathology and director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of more than six hundred scientific articles and four books, including The Pattern Seekers, The Science of Evil, and The Essential Difference. He lives in Cambridge, UK. 

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xv

1 Explaining "Evil" and Human Cruelty 1

2 The Empathy Mechanism: The Bell Curve 17

3 When Zero Degrees of Empathy Is Negative 45

4 When Zero Degrees of Empathy Is Positive 99

5 The Empathy Gene 129

6 Reflections on Human Cruelty 151

Appendix 1 The Empathy Quotient (EQ) 195

Appendix 2 How to Spot Zero Degrees of Empathy (Negative) 205

Notes 209

References 219

Index 247

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Baron-Cohen's professorial background shines through in the book's tone and in step-by-step, engaging prose urging both academic and lay reader alike to journey with him in scientific inquiry." —-Publishers Weekly Starred Review

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