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The Lost Lectures

Zero Degrees of Empathy

In this harrowing talk, Simon looks at notorious incidents of 20th Century evil. He argues for a more scientific understanding of the problem, seeing so-called evil in terms of a failure of affective empathy. His talk offers compelling theoretical explanations of empathy, while underscoring the vitalness of this uniquely human attribute.

 

Speaker Simon Baron-Cohen

Simon Baron-Cohen is a world leading neuroscientist and Cambridge professor — an altogether more serious sort than that other Baron-Cohen, his cousin. He’s spent his career conducting research into autism and has garnered a string of accolades, awards and even appeared in Time magazine in recognition of his pioneering work. His early theory of ‘mind blindness’ has changed the way many understand the disability and paved the way for subsequent breakthroughs in this vital field of research. Leading up to the release of his new book ‘Zero Degrees of Empathy’, Simon will give us a unique insight into human cruelty…and kindness, explaining how the ‘empathy spectrum’, and our position in it, can be affected by both genes and our environment.