Empathy and fairness

Speakers at this meeting will describe various aspects of current research on empathy and fairness in animals and humans

Empathy broadly refers to the process that allows us to feel for others, that is, to share the feelings and emotions of others, in the absence of any direct emotional stimulation to the self. Humans can feel empathy for other people in a wide array of contexts: for basic emotions and sensation such as anger, fear, sadness, joy, pain and lust as well as for more complex emotions such as guilt, embarrassment and love. Although empathy seems to be an automatic response of the brain to others’ emotional reactions, there are circumstances under which we do not share the same feeling as others. Imagine, for example, that someone who does the same job as you is paid twice as much. In this case, that person might be very satisfied with their extra salary, but you would not share this satisfaction. You would consider the situation unfair. The notion of fairness is not only crucial in personal interaction with others in the context of families, workplace or interactions with strangers but also guides people’s behaviour in impersonal economic and political domains when it comes to the perceived fairness of a firm’s policy and a state’s justice. Speakers at this meeting will describe various aspects of current research on empathy and fairness in animals and humans, including our understanding of the underlying neurophysiology of these processes. For an up-to-date programme and confirmed speakers, please visit www.rigb.org nearer the time.

This event is in association with the Novartis Foundation.

Register to tell a friend about this lecture.

Comments

If you would like to comment about this lecture, please register here.

©2003-2006 Niminim Limited. Created by

Any ad revenue is entirely reinvested into the Lecture List's operating fund