Pathological Altruism: When Empathy Is Not Virtuous – Dr Barbara Oakley | Wisdom Rebellion #016

Is empathy always a virtue? Or is it just a smoke screen for narcissists?

Join Kat as she delves into a provocative discussion with Dr. Barbara Oakley, exploring why 'empathy is not virtuous' can be a hard truth in today's society hell-bent on thin veneer of kindness.

Unpacking the concept of pathological altruism, they uncover how well-meaning actions can sometimes lead to unintended harm, both personally and societally. From the dangers of extreme activism to the manipulative use of altruistic motives in totalitarian regimes, this conversation challenges our preconceptions and urges a re-evaluation of what it truly means to do good.

This is a compelling exploration of how critical thinking and a balanced perspective on empathy can prevent kindness from turning into calamity.

Uncover why understanding the pitfalls of unchecked empathy is crucial for genuinely beneficial actions, finishing with a powerful reminder: True kindness requires more than good intentions, it demands a clear-eyed view of the consequences.

Chapters:
00:00 Trailer: Pathological Altruism: When Empathy Is Not Virtuous
01:31 Altruism's Dark Side
07:00 The Personal Cost of Saying "Yes"
15:01 The Societal Impact of Misguided Good Intentions
24:29 The Influence of Media and Narrative Control
32:48 The Role of Education in Fostering Critical Thinking
40:35 Historical Lessons on Pathological Altruism
50:04 The Modern Landscape of Pathological Altruism
57:50 Solutions and Moving Forward
1:02:28 Barbara Oakley's Current and Future Projects

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AUDIO
Listen to Wisdom Rebellion on your favourite podcast platform: https://link.chtbl.com/wisdomrebellion

FOR Dr Barbara Oakley:
WEBSITE: https://barbaraoakley.com/
Pathological Altruism BOOK: https://amzn.to/4d1ihGv
Evil Genes BOOK: https://amzn.to/46kex0c
Cold-Blooded Kindness BOOK: https://amzn.to/4dgklu1
RESEARCH PAPER: Concepts and implications of altruism bias and pathological altruism https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1302547110

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