Name: Why aren't we more compassionate?
Uploaded: 2007-12-18T00:38:00Z
Duration: 13 min
Description: Daniel Goleman, author of "Emotional Intelligence," asks why we aren't more compassionate more of the time.

Daniel Goleman, author of "Emotional Intelligence," asks why we aren't more compassionate more of the time.

Why aren't we more compassionate?

Compassion is our brain’s default, but everyday distractions and self-focus often prevent acts of kindness. A Princeton study found divinity students ignored a suffering stranger simply because they felt rushed, not because of their beliefs. Social neuroscience shows mirror neurons prime people to empathize, yet attention determines whether this urge turns into action. Noticing others, even briefly, can spark a ripple of help in situations as ordinary as a subway stop.

Self-Absorption Blocks Compassion Wired Into Our Brains

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