The Power of Emotional Empathy

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Willard: Can somebody who is so skilled at knowing the feelings of others actually be that sadistic? Willard: In some sense, sadism is a... It's kind of weird itself, right? Where it seems as if on some version of what a serial killer is doing, it requires that you feel the pain of someone else. So, bullies score higher in theory of mind, understanding other people than their victims. And forget about the dramatic cases. I mean, everybody's been in close relationships where you get angry at somebody and you want to hurt them. You know Tamler very well. You know his insecurities and his weaknesses. Hit him where it hurts. Yeah

Paul Bloom takes some time away from his "Waking Up" appearances to join us for a very special movie episode: our top three films about empathy. Can movies help us understand the experiences of people who live completely different lives? Do serial killers need empathy to effectively torture their victims? Does empathy make you want to blow up the world, or lead naked men into black liquid-y voids? Plus Paul and David try to bully Tamler into watching "Westworld." Also, buy Paul's new book (link below) "Against Empathy"! [Note: this episode is heavy on the spoilers. If you're worried, check the links below--they contain the titles for each movie in the order discussed on the podcast].

Special Guest: Paul Bloom.

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