The Downsides of Empathy

In this podcast episode, Dr. Paul Bloom discusses the downsides of empathy as a moral guide. He argues that empathy, which involves feeling the pain or emotions of others, is biased, shortsighted, and often leads to misguided decision-making and policies. Bloom emphasizes that while empathy can be beneficial in personal relationships and certain contexts, it can hinder our ability to make rational and effective choices for the greater good. He suggests cultivating compassion, which involves caring for others without necessarily experiencing their emotions, as a more rational and productive approach to moral decision-making.