Note: You are viewing an old revision of this page. View the current version.
If anything, the ability to see from another's perspective is what sets humans apart from most other animals. It is the basis of many of the qualities that we hold in highest regard: kindness, charity, mercy, welfare, forgiveness. Far from being irrational, empathy confers a distinct advantage in any social situation. It provides a foundation for promises, contracts, and deals. To a large extent it is the glue that binds society.