Cultures of Empathy
Cultures of Empathy / Kulturen der Empathie
Most theories of empathy assume that the primary scene of empathy involves two people: One who has empathy with another. The author's hypothesis, however, is that human empathy derives from a scene of three individuals: One individual who observes a conflict between two others.
If the observer is drawn to mentally choose a side, then it is possible for the observer to also develop empathy as an emotional legitimization for choosing that side and not the other. The book discusses...
If the observer is drawn to mentally choose a side, then it is possible for the observer to also develop empathy as an emotional legitimization for choosing that side and not the other. The book discusses...
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Most theories of empathy assume that the primary scene of empathy involves two people: One who has empathy with another. The author's hypothesis, however, is that human empathy derives from a scene of three individuals: One individual who observes a conflict between two others.
If the observer is drawn to mentally choose a side, then it is possible for the observer to also develop empathy as an emotional legitimization for choosing that side and not the other. The book discusses central cognitive theories of empathy (key words include: mirror neurons, Theory of Mind, and Stockholm Syndrome), presents an argument for the necessary connection of narrative and empathy, and offers readings of some canonical works of literature.
The work consists of the following parts:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Empathy and the Production of Dissimilarity
Chapter 2: Cultures of Construction – (Theory of Mind)
Chapter 3: The Invisible Third: Stockholm, Power Reciprocity
Chapter 4: Narrative Empathy
Epilogue: Is there an ethic of empathy?
2009, 204 pages
Persons
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Latest first
Year of Publication: 2022
Fritz BreithauptYear of Publication: 2022
The Narrative Brain
Life is experienced more intensely when we are enmeshed in stories – I narrate, therefore I am. But it is not only our own lives that are heightened by narratives; through narratives we are...
Rights sold to:
English world rights (Yale UP), Spanish world rights (Sexto Piso), Italy (Lit/Castelvecchi), Korea (Eco-Livres), Hungary (Typotex), Bulgaria (Funtasy)
Year of Publication: 2017
Fritz BreithauptYear of Publication: 2017
The Dark Sides of Empathy
Empathy is considered the basis of moral action. But if we examine this more carefully, the ability to »empathize with other people« proves itself to be a prerequisite for deliberate...
Rights sold to:
English world rights (Cornell UP), Korea (SOSO)
Previously published in the respective language / territory; rights available again: Hungary (Typotex)
Year of Publication: 2011
Fritz BreithauptYear of Publication: 2011
Culture of the Excuse
Why do people tell each other things? Why did they learn to tell stories? What cultural achievements are linked to telling stories? And what is story telling in the first place? Fritz Breithaupt gives us an astounding answer to this question.
Telling stories allows us to present excuses. With an excuse, one can remove one’s head from the noose. The essence of an excuse...