The Empathic Brain

How mirror neurons help you understand others.

by Christian Keysers, Ph.D.

Rats Might Be Empathic and Will Help Other Rats in Need

We thought only humans are compassionate. New research shows that rats are empathic and will help other rats in need. Read More

Why We Care About the People of Syria

We were taught that humans are the result of the "survival of the fittest." If we are driven by self-interest, why should we care about the people of Syria? Perhaps evolution has equipped us with an empathic brain. Read More

The London Riots: When the Empathic Brain Switches off

Normal citizens turn into ruthless rioters in the ‘social network riots’ in London. We normally empathize with other people, and this keeps us from harming them. Recent brain science shows that our empathic brains get turned off if we consider others not to belong to us. Are the London Riots a case of reduced empathy? What can we do to restore empathy? Read More