Feb 3, 2017

AGAINST EMPATHY - Paul Bloom

In a divided world, empathy is not the solution, it is the problem; a source of prejudice, not kindness.

Against Empathy overturns widely held assumptions to reveal one of the most profound yet overlooked sources of human conflict. It demonstrates with absolute clarity that, when faced with moral decisions, we must choose reason and compassion, not empathy as our guides.

Whilst we were designing the cover last August, the editor saw Vanitas XVII, a photograph by John Philips at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition. He realised the photograph would eloquently express the tone and theme of the book and advised us to go and see it. The photograph worked really well on our cover and we were delighted to be able to work with John Philips.

The photograph above was taken at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and the many red dots show just how many prints had already been bought at the time of our visit.

Against Empathy is available now.

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