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Nul Empathie: Een Theorie Van Menselijke Wreedheid (2012)

by Simon Baron-Cohen(Favorite Author)

3.9 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Nieuwezijds B.V.

review 1: What's new about the idea that a lack of empathy helps explain cruelty, or the idea that a combination of environmental and genetic factors determine the development of empathy? Nothing. Baron-Cohen's argument for reclassifying certain mental illnesses as empathy disorders is persuasive and his discussion of these illnesses and the associated environmental and genetic backgrounds make the book worth reading. In fact, if the book had stuck with this key idea, I'd have given it 5/5. Unfortunately, the philosophical discussion is sorely lacking. I'm not convinced that lack of empathy is a necessary condition for cruelty and as Baron-Cohen notes, it's never a sufficient explanation. A 'theory of human cruelty' ought to be more thorough. Baron-Cohen's discussion of the implicat... moreions of his theory is also lacking: He merely states his opinions, rather than arguing for them. (At least he is intellectually honest in this.) A fascinating subject and an excellent first few chapters, but ultimately a bit disappointing.
review 2: great subject matter...the actuality of spirituality. Describing the theology of ' oneness ', the essence of presence, in scientific terms...that's got to be relevant. He doesn't claim to know anything, doesn't make egocentric claims as a reductionist...very cool, especially where psychiatric matters are concerned. He's noticed tendencies and sliding scales along spectrums, sliding scales that inter-relate. Has a delicacy with his astute observation - doesn't close it off as fact. ...i think that's key to contemp science - a butterfly poised on the slider of a layer of the mixing desk, ambient trance can always be manipulated to become the most savage of hard beat...he's asking the right questions from a reasoned perspective...doesn't quite explore epigenetics sliding in to original theology but who has ? He hasn't closed any doors and hasn't waltzed off skipping through a meadow of purple scented flowers - he's added to my thinking although i have yet to know anything....my puzzlement is yet more intriguing, i suspect myself of idiocy with an aspiration to a recognisable disorder of person... less

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