Empathy in the Age of Apathy

It appears the world order is changing at a rapid clip. Shared values such as respect, honor, and truth-telling have been figuratively shredded in a wood chipper. Empathy is considered, by some powerful figures, to be an obstacle to success.

According to Buddhist teaching, to show compassion, the close cousin of empathy, is the purpose of life. Shared compassion lessens misery and suffering. When it comes to conducting sustainable business practices, having a compassionate conscience, despite what some billionaires might say, still matters.

Amid growing international concerns about income inequality, labor abuses, racial injustice, and disinformation online, the new book Conscience Incorporated, authored by human rights lawyer Michael H. Posner, examines the gaps in current corporate social responsibility measures and what more needs to be done to address these growing challenges.

The rising use of smartphones and social media has made it easier than ever to document and spread awareness of corporate actions, but it has also made it just as easy to spread rumors and lies. When called out for their misconduct, large corporations often fail to meaningfully address the human rights abuses linked to their business models and practices. In Conscience Incorporated, Michael Posner addresses what lies at the root of these challenges, drawing on his extensive personal and professional experience as a human rights lawyer, federal official, and Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern School of Business.

Source: Michael H. Posner, used with permission

Drawing from research into the history of business ethics and anchoring his argument with examples of companies publicly accused of human rights abuses―Nike, Coca-Cola, Walmart, Meta, and more―Posner provides a blueprint for global business leaders to navigate human rights challenges and adopt sustainable corporate practices. His book highlights the need for increased protections for outsourced workers in faraway nations, greater attention to harmful online content, and prioritization of human rights by investors. He argues that growing public awareness has not been enough to enforce ethical practices for global businesses. As a result, governments, especially in Europe, are becoming more involved in regulating global business practices in various industries.

Conscience Incorporated is a powerful challenge to the status quo and advocates for a fundamental shift in the principles that govern global businesses.

Chaz Ebert joins the conversation about the power of conscience with her new release It's Time to Give a Feck: Elevating Humanity through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion and Kindness, which emphasizes the transformative power of practicing emotional intelligence and human connection in everyday life. The author advocates for prioritizing forgiveness, empathy, compassion, and kindness (FECK) as essential values for personal healing and societal change. Through personal stories and practical insights, it encourages readers to move beyond apathy and resentment, fostering deeper understanding and authentic relationships. The core message is clear: by choosing to "give a FECK," individuals can contribute to a more conscious, connected, and humane world.

We need guidelines such as these now more than ever. What we buy matters. What we do to the Earth matters. And, above all else, what we do to each other matters. Giving a FECK is a good start to counteract the non-sensical narrative that empathy is somehow a hindrance to human progress.