From the Book Lounge: Biologist Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy presents an argument for empathy in a world focused on competition.
Posts Tagged ‘nature’
Video Interview: Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy
December 7th, 2009Mirror Neurons: Understanding the triggers of empathy
December 5th, 2009In a recent interview, Neurologist Vilayanur S. Ramachandran spoke to livemint.com about mirror neurons and their influence on empathy. He even calls one type of mirror neuron a “Gandhi neuron.” Reading the article and watching the video, I’m reminded of the varying understandings of empathy that exist today. One notion, as expressed in this interview, is the ability to “put oneself in another’s shoes” which allows us to have some sense of how another person is experiencing their life. For others, empathy involves a sense of caring for another. Empathy can also be simply an unconditional presence to receive the presence of another human being. I experience this kind of empathy as a quality of openness and receptivity that makes no demands and has no agenda.
The main concern I have about this research is that empathy might be reduced to simply mirror neurons firing in response to a stimulus. Reductionism is the unfortunate tendency of “hard” science, reducing inner experiential phenomena to outer observable objects. In this perspective, some people necessarily have more empathic ability because they have more Gandhi neurons. In my experience, empathy can be learned. I have learned and developed empathic skills that continue to grow over time, and I have seen the same happen for others in the circles in which I travel. I guess I just don’t want to confuse correlation with cause.
Recalling Innocence
October 3rd, 2009
Innocence Remembered, A Path to Personal and Global Healing, by Doris Ehrler and a calendar! Check it out.
RECALLING INNOCENCE aims at helping us to understand the source of frustration and violence, and to recall our incorruptible essence. It is not just a nice thing to be in touch with our innate goodness; it is absolutely necessary to have a positive sense about ourselves and others, since those internal frequencies determine what we create for our future. Even the slightest bit of shame, anger, guilt, and resentment prevents us from being at peace with the present moment; it keeps us from participating in the beauty of life.
Doris’ latest project is to learn the language of Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. She has found this tool to be extremely effective to connect with oneself and others on a deeper and healthier level. The method is based on the same principles as described in Innocence Remembered. It is based on the fact that human beings not only try to enrich their own lives, but they also have a need to contribute to the well-being of others. Ultimately, we always do the best we can, with the knowledge that is available to us. As Rosenberg puts it: “All violent behavior is a suicidal attempt to get one’s needs met.” Nonviolent Communication can help us recognize those needs, and express them without causing resentment and pain.
Baby steps toward a more peaceful world
October 1st, 2009A Toronto educator’s parenting-for-kids program has morphed into a plan to make all humanity more empathic. Pie in the sky? Its been working.
Editor’s Note: I must mention for clarity the first sentence of the article: “Mary Gordon wants to change humanity by rewiring a child’s brain — one child at a time.” The author mentions Frans de Waal’s work showing cooperation and care for others is intrinsic to our nature, and since Mary Gordon is helping children develop those qualities, Ms. Gordon is developing innate qualities. Rewiring suggests changing an innate quality rather than learning from our naturally endowed tendencies.
Even as an adult, I have violent or disconnected conditioned reactions that I unlearn rather than rewire, in my experience. And that innate compassionate nature is nutured and developed just as it would be in a child. This is pycho/social/spiritual development, not rewiring.
The Age of Empathy: Nature’s Lessons for a Kinder Society.
September 7th, 2009A Book Review from the Economist:
The Age of Empathy: Nature’s Lessons for a Kinder Society. By Frans de Waal. Crown; 304 pages; $25.99 and £19.99.
EVERY day the world seems more like Aesop’s “Fables”. Rooks are found to use ingenious tools; dolphins are overheard talking to whales; and pigs, while not yet flying, play a passable game of football—at least according to the BBC. As for apes, they would hardly make headlines any more if they were found to be adept at composing limericks.
Frans de Waal, a primatologist in the psychology department of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, is perhaps best known for his studies of bonobos—the so-called “politically correct” apes who are somewhat feminist, often resolve disputes by making love instead of war, and with whom humans share as much of their DNA as they do with chimpanzees. His new book, “The Age of Empathy”, looks at altruism and sympathetic fellow-feeling in both humans and other animals.
