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The Empathic Civilization
Video

The Empathic Civilization

RSA, 2010

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

In this RSAnimate production, social commentator Jeremy Rifkin describes new scientific research that demonstrates humans’ inherent ability to empathize. He poses the question, “Is it possible to extend our empathy to the entire human race?” Rifkin postulates that this empathy will eventually sustain humankind and save planet Earth. The video lights a match to a combustible conversation regarding human nature, religion, philosophy, activism and science. getAbstract recommends watching it and joining the debate.

Summary

Researchers in the fields of evolutionary biology, neurocognitive science and child development have made discoveries that challenge long-held beliefs about human behavior. This new information may topple notions that form the basis for educational, corporate and governmental institutions.

In the early 1990s in a laboratory in Parma, Italy, scientists were studying a macaque monkey’s brain waves as he opened a nut. During the test, a human entered the lab, took a nut and cracked it open. Watching the human, the monkey exhibited...

About the Speaker

Jeremy Rifkin is the author of The Empathic Civilization, The Hydrogen Economy and The Age of Access.


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    D. H. 6 years ago
    This is a global perspective - universal in scope. I encourage you to think about this in terms of the workplace - is there an "empathic workplace?"