Roots and Collapse of Empathy

Spanning from care-giving infants and civilian rescuers risking their life to the collapse of empathy in agents of torture and extinction, this unique book deals with and illustrates the altruistic best and atrocious worst of human nature. It begins with infant roots of empathy, then turns to the ne [...]
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Spanning from care-giving infants and civilian rescuers risking their life to the collapse of empathy in agents of torture and extinction, this unique book deals with and illustrates the altruistic best and atrocious worst of human nature. It begins with infant roots of empathy, then turns to the neurosocial support of empathic participation, and to the nature and nurture of ill and good, including the altruism exhibited by three-year old orphans rescued from Nazi concentration camps. It raises questions about how abuse may invite vicious circles of re-enactment, and as to how ordinary people may come to commit torture and mass murders, such as the Auschwitz doctors and the terrorist attacking Norway on July 22, 2011. And last, with reference to a letter exchange between Einstein and Freud on 'Why War?', and to reports on civilian rescuers and women sitting down for peace, this question is pursued: Could it be that armed violence is declining and non-violent revolt is increasing?