To be a good moral agent, you need to have something kicking you into pants, making you do good things. David Hume's point is right: You need some sort of motivation. But I just don't think it has to be empathy. We live amongst people who have low empathy or no empathy. These include people with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism. And they include certain Buddhist monks who exercise compassion but staunch their empathy.
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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