Review of the Book the Dark Side of Empathy

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 · 38 ratings  · 11 reviews

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Jul 02, 2019 McKenzie rated it it was ok

I received this book from NetGalley in commutation for an honest review.
I'll be honest I didn't get very far in this volume. I didn't feel drawn to continue it for a couple of reasons. Firstly, information technology reads similar an essay, a really long needlessly drawn out essay. Secondly, the conclusions Breithaupt was cartoon early on on felt inaccurate. For example, he opined that serial killers kill because of the empathy they feel with their victim'due south suffering. I'thousand non a psychologist merely I think that'due south also simplistic a I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be honest I didn't get very far in this volume. I didn't feel drawn to continue it for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it reads like an essay, a really long needlessly drawn out essay. Secondly, the conclusions Breithaupt was drawing early felt inaccurate. For case, he opined that serial killers kill considering of the empathy they feel with their victim's suffering. I'yard not a psychologist simply I call back that's as well simplistic and makes it seem as though all serial killers would be at least partly masochistic rather than only sadistic. The manner it was worded made it seem as though empathy acquired them to kill people rather than information technology being something else in their psyche that caused it and empathy was only a convenient emotion during the killing. Either way this book just didn't feel like it had been written or edited as it should take been and it led me to stop reading. This book but wasn't for me.

Please come up visit the web log https://www.literarydragonreviews.spider web...

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Nov 15, 2020 Lora Milton rated it really liked it

This is a Psychology book and every bit such a little dry. Information technology examines the minds of people who rather than using empathy to sympathise with others in a positive way, are actually motivated past it to do harm.

Breithaupt gives five dark sides of empathy: cocky loss, black and white thinking, humanitarianism as ego gratification, the darkest i in my opinion is motivation for sadism, identifying with the victim, and vampiristic empathy, people who expand their own life experience by over-identifying with so

This is a Psychology book and as such a picayune dry. Information technology examines the minds of people who rather than using empathy to sympathize with others in a positive way, are really motivated by it to exercise harm.

Breithaupt gives v dark sides of empathy: self loss, blackness and white thinking, humanitarianism as ego gratification, the darkest one in my stance is motivation for sadism, identifying with the victim, and vampiristic empathy, people who aggrandize their own life experience past over-identifying with someone else, like helicopter parents.

Information technology'south a very dark read, simply very idea-provoking and genius in its field. This would be very useful for anyone who works in the psychiatric field or for people who bargain with negative qualities from someone else who may fit one of these categories. Besides Horror writers who could easily base a scary character on these all likewise human flaws.

Impressively insightful, if disturbing.

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This was a title I was eager to bank check out as I was curious to see the argument(s) that would put in question the dominant estimation(s) of empathy. The writer, Fritz Breithaupt, is a professor of cognitive scientific discipline only himself claims that his main academic focus is literary criticism and cultural studies. He claims that this is non a book against empathy but rather intends to propose a different approach to this "primal form that shapes what we are equally human beings". Breithaupt struggles to due south This was a title I was eager to check out as I was curious to run across the argument(s) that would put in question the dominant estimation(s) of empathy. The writer, Fritz Breithaupt, is a professor of cognitive science but himself claims that his main academic focus is literary criticism and cultural studies. He claims that this is not a volume confronting empathy just rather intends to advise a different approach to this "key class that shapes what we are as human being beings". Breithaupt struggles to show the reader the sadistic, callous deportment that tin can exist triggered by empathy and because of it. He writes: "Extreme acts of cruelty require a high level of empathy" and continues, "Sadism is not the product of a lack of empathy but rather from the wish for its intensification".

The book consists of five capacity (plus the introduction and the epilogue), and some of them are truly engaging as Breithaupt follows consistent reasoning, thus never confusing even the ignorant reader, and he coins terms such as "Faux Empathy", "Filtered Empathy", "Compassionate Sadism" and "Vampiristic Empathy" (!). I found the first affiliate on the relation of the Nietzschean notions of "Self" and "Cocky-Loss" with empathy and Aesthetics. Nietzsche, in his books Beyond Good and Evil and Genealogy of Morals, writes about the "Objective Man'' who is an observer lacking any special characteristic that is associated with the sense of selfhood, he is nothing more a mirror who, nevertheless, is the only man capable of expressing 18-carat sympathy. Those who showroom a potent sense of self are not probable to show signs of empathy every bit their defining features block such inclinations. I besides thought that the tertiary chapter virtually false and filtered empathy was also enlightening and very well-written.

In that location is also a number of references for those who are interested in the subject, so don't forget to check out the bibliography at the stop of the book. To sum up, this is an interesting read on a discipline that, until now, was not in dispute in the academic milieu. Any bold attempt to new interpretations on tough subjects is worthy of our respect and Fritz Breithaupt succeeds in planting the seed of dubiousness in the readers' minds.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing a gratis ARC of this title.

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I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

This volume caused me to think things through very securely that I probably would not accept thought if I had not read it – and for that lonely I would consider it a worthwhile use of my time. It examines human nature more honestly then many books of its kind, and well I definitely saw some of myself in the more selfish or every bit he would put information technology "vampiric "type of empathy, I understand that was something I probably needed to expect at. I westward

I received an advanced readers re-create in exchange for an honest review.

This book caused me to call back things through very securely that I probably would not take thought if I had not read information technology – and for that alone I would consider it a worthwhile use of my time. It examines human nature more honestly and then many books of its kind, and well I definitely saw some of myself in the more than selfish or equally he would put information technology "vampiric "type of empathy, I understand that was something I probably needed to look at. I work in mental health, with people who are frequently considered personality disordered, which labels them as having a lack of empathy, only instead information technology is this dark empathy that dominates that leads to their behaviors, then much of what happens in our society that often leads usa confused- how could "skilful" people cause such bad feeling? Definitely should be read by students of psychology and philosophy.

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Aug 24, 2019 Jim Robles rated it it was amazing

V stars! Our motives are fortunately and unfortunately usually opaque to ourselves. Let us exist conscientious what we do and why. This one provides dark guidance.

"Empathy is not necessarily pernicious, simply neither is it principally adept" (221).

I first heard about this 1 on NPR:
The Finish Of Empathy
April fifteen, 20195:00 AM ET
HANNA ROSIN

https://world wide web.npr.org/2019/04/15/712249...

"Introduction

This book is about the terrible things we practise because of our ability to empathize with others" (1).

"Painting the world i

Five stars! Our motives are fortunately and unfortunately usually opaque to ourselves. Let u.s. exist careful what we do and why. This one provides nighttime guidance.

"Empathy is not necessarily pernicious, but neither is information technology principally good" (221).

I first heard most this i on NPR:
The Terminate Of Empathy
April 15, 20195:00 AM ET
HANNA ROSIN

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/xv/712249...

"Introduction

This book is about the terrible things we exercise considering of our ability to empathize with others" (i).

"Painting the world in blackness and white makes such perception easier, as does the phase view afforded by vampiristic empathy" (eighteen).

Men react differently than women to punishment of the guilty. "This specific deviation is more remarkable considering in no other case has then cardinal a difference between men and women in empathy-relevant situations been found" (28-29).

"1 Self-Loss" (37)

"To quickly summarize the argument in the first part of 'On the Genealogy of Morals': Morality is the production of the conflict betwixt two political classes (or races), namely masters and common people or slaves" (52).

"Normally the more cardinal features of a civilization are not visible from inside" (71).

"2 Painting in Black and White" (75)

"The focus on the actual uses of empathy and so leads to one of the dark sides of empathy--the biases, prejudices, and injustices that empathy can cause" (76).

"Catalysts. . . . unconscious emotional 'infection' . . . mass hysteria)" (80). Also p. 88.

"In-group bias" (86). Particularism!

"Inquiry indicates that people show more than empathy towards acute patients than chronic patients in specific cases" (92).

"It seems to be a compelling hypothesis that side-taking is the master, and evolutionarily older, structure and that moral judgment follows closely on its heels" (98).

The "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" leaped off of p. 101. He is a vegetarian for moral reasons. He is becalmed at bounding main. Cod are existence caught and fried, and smell "wonderfully good." He triumphantly justifies giving up vegetarianism exactly as described.

"Modern terrorism has its origins in the incendiary nationalisms of the nineteenth century, which coincided with the emergence of mass media" (115).

The bottom of p. 115 misses the effect of the ummah, and understates the positive correlation between cloth well-being and propensity to commit terrorist acts.

"This instance suggests the limits of pedagogy to make a meaning departure in perspectives shaped by history" (119).

"3 False Empathy, Filtered Empathy" (131)

"Positive change allows the emphatic observer to withdraw their empathy once the other no longer needs information technology" (133). This allows us to expect the undeveloped world to remain in a state of immiseration equally nosotros continue to consume and pollute.

"To me, our electric current global country of affairs seems to be utterly indefensible, radically unfair, and life negating" (144).

"Both filtered empathy and imitation empathy can create a quick straw burn of enthusiasm, but it does not usually last" (158).

"four Empathetic Sadism" (161)

"The paradox of tragedy is that the observer is left with a positive (or somehow positively marked) feeling as a straight event of the terrible fate of the tragic hero" (164).

"Seen this way, sadistic empathy makes sense, equally it would have a selection advantage for the community" (177).

The "dictator game" is on p. 178. The motive is revenge, rather than fairness.

"Akin to the sadistic benefactor is the figure wielding advocative exploitative empathy. This advocate empathizes with the ane suffering and takes their side in club to find pleasure and satisfaction in playing the function of the advocate. Because the suffering of the other is necessary for the existence of their role, this tin mean that the advocate wishes for positive modify while at the same time prolonging the suffering" (189).

"5 Vampiristic Empathy" (201)

"Epilogue: Empathy Between Morality and Aesthetics" (221)

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Jul 31, 2019 J Earl rated it really liked it

The Dark Sides of Empathy from Fritz Breithaupt makes the general argument about empathy that, I think, tin be fabricated virtually only near any attribute of human feeling and behavior, namely that there are more sides than the i we generally perceive.

I have mixed feelings virtually this book, but less because of the conclusion than because of the structures and arguments synthetic in making his argument. In other words, I agree that empathy, just like dear and selfishness/selflessness, tin have negative a

The Dark Sides of Empathy from Fritz Breithaupt makes the general argument most empathy that, I think, can exist made about but about whatsoever aspect of man feeling and beliefs, namely that there are more than sides than the 1 we by and large perceive.

I have mixed feelings about this book, but less because of the conclusion than considering of the structures and arguments constructed in making his argument. In other words, I agree that empathy, but like love and selfishness/selflessness, tin take negative besides as positive outcomes. I just disagree with some of what he calls empathy as well as some of what he claims isn't empathy. Information technology seemed to me that he fabricated his case far more convoluted than information technology had to exist, and in doing so overstepped in his structuring of what is and is not empathy or empathetic feelings.

I found some of his readings to be very adept, peculiarly of Nietzsche in the first chapter. I have a couple minor disagreements there but that could largely be from the context inside which I first studied those texts. I did not, withal, call back some of his connections were as strong as he believes them to be.

In brusque, I call up he could have fabricated his case with a lot less mental gymnastics. I think he could lose some readers through minor disagreements when a more than basic statement might have brought more agreement. I don't purchase all of his categories or his architecture. I don't dismiss them out of paw either, I but am not convinced based on this volume, my previous readings in the area, and my life experiences. Nonetheless those same factors are exactly why I concur with his determination, that empathy is far more nuanced than popular opinion currently believes.

A quote from an interview he did sums up much of what I agree with: "Yes, nosotros're biologically primed for information technology [empathy], only nosotros also accept to cultivate it, and cultivation is something that can [be a] lifelong learning job." That cultivation is how we can minimize the negative or darker aspects while enhancing the positive.

I do recommend this to readers who want to understand empathy better. Nosotros are told in many venues to be compassionate, but that is far too broad of a statement, at that place are times to temper our empathy, even if only for a short time until we accept more data. Breithaupt's book volition help y'all to think about when these times might be, and whatever additional self-knowledge we gain is a positive.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

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Aug 04, 2019 Kelly rated information technology liked it

The Dark Sides of Empathy by Fritz Breithaupt presented many interesting arguments related to the downside of empathy and made a example that we should not just blindly teach or encourage empathy without whatsoever checks and balances. While there were many interesting arguments, and it was interesting to learn almost the history of empathy and empathy enquiry, the book was written in a very bookish way. It fabricated it more challenging to read and I felt that I needed to read it more slowly and/or read over again The Dark Sides of Empathy by Fritz Breithaupt presented many interesting arguments related to the downside of empathy and made a case that we should not merely blindly teach or encourage empathy without whatsoever checks and balances. While there were many interesting arguments, and it was interesting to learn about the history of empathy and empathy research, the volume was written in a very academic way. It made it more challenging to read and I felt that I needed to read it more slowly and/or read again certain passages and paragraphs in order to accurately interpret and retain the information that was beingness presented. I would not consider nigh of the book a low-cal or easy read, and I think some of the arguments were overly elaborate and convoluted and could accept been said in a more succinct and piece of cake to read manner. Some chapters were an easier read than others.

With that beingness said, it did get me to call back nearly empathy in some ways that I had not really fully considered. Every bit someone who works in the mental health field, and utilizes empathy on a daily footing, information technology was an overall interesting read, and inspired me to give more idea to empathy and the roles that it plays in relationships to others, as well as to the human relationship to ourselves. It was also interesting to read nigh situations where I think most people would assume someone is displaying a lack of empathy, but many of the arguments in the book advise it is actually the contrary.

If you are looking for a lighter read, this probably is not the book for y'all, but if yous desire to larn more than about empathy, and don't heed something written more like an argument essay or something written in a more than bookish way, so you would probably enjoy this book.

I was given the opportunity to read this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in an exchange for an unbiased review.

#bookreview #NetGalley #TheDarkSidesOfEmpathy

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I've ever near strictly (and naively!) thought of empathy as a virtue. Of course, someone could be so empathetic that it could interfere with their ain cocky-involvement, but I generally saw this equally something mostly admirable, even if it ended in unideal outcomes.

This book provides a more than balanced framing of empathy and focuses on its negative outcomes. I idea his contentions were reasonable, even if the writing way was sometimes a trivial overly verbose or otherwise hard to track. I do due west

I've e'er almost strictly (and naively!) thought of empathy as a virtue. Of course, someone could exist so empathetic that it could interfere with their own cocky-interest, merely I generally saw this as something more often than not beauteous, even if it concluded in unideal outcomes.

This volume provides a more counterbalanced framing of empathy and focuses on its negative outcomes. I idea his contentions were reasonable, even if the writing style was sometimes a little overly verbose or otherwise hard to track. I do wish he had more cleanly defined and stuck to a clear definition of empathy throughout the book, simply I thought his variation was acceptable.

I think that Breithaupt's examples and references to literature are very striking or miss throughout this book. I enjoyed his exploration of Nietzsche early in the book and his framing of vampirist empathy towards the end, but I constitute some of his commentary around sadism and filtered empathy to be a bit contrived and drawn out. It also felt like there was a whole trunk of literature he chose not to reference - I wish he had provided more detail around the psychology of soldiers or other instruments of command/functioning.

I gave this book iii out of five stars because while I enjoyed the premise and the general concept of the execution, I did sometimes find the content somewhat tired and excessive. Either way, I would recommend that someone interested in this topic accept the fourth dimension to at least visit this text.

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L'autore esamina il concetto di Empatia da molti punti di vista, sottolineando che not necessariamente l'empatia abbia un valore morale positivo.
Investigando ambiti legati al comportamento umano, offre una chiave di lettura molto interessante su un tema che nella recente letteratura, specie manageriale, viene semplicemente considerato "positivo", senza chiedersi cosa ci sia dietro.
Il testo è scritto come saggio scientifico, quindi non si presta a una facile divulgazione. Ma molti degli esempi pi L'autore esamina il concetto di Empatia da molti punti di vista, sottolineando che non necessariamente 50'empatia abbia un valore morale positivo.
Investigando ambiti legati al comportamento umano, offre una chiave di lettura molto interessante su un tema che nella recente letteratura, specie manageriale, viene semplicemente considerato "positivo", senza chiedersi cosa ci sia dietro.
Il testo è scritto come saggio scientifico, quindi non si presta a una facile divulgazione. Ma molti degli esempi più attuali aiutano a comprendere molto bene le varie interpretazioni proposte.
Fa sicuramente riflettere. ...more than

The writer really laid out a strong case with numerous facts about how harmful empathy can be. I never idea that people could be besides empathetic, but this book has me 2d guessing that! This was well written and provided new insight into empathy for me.

The title was well researched, but I simply tin't seem to wrap my caput around the thesis. I get information technology, but what is the bespeak?

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