Books Like...
'Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion' by Paul Bloom challenges the notion that empathy is a reliable moral compass. The book argues that while empathy can lead to good actions, it is often biased, parochial, and can distort moral and policy decisions. Bloom advocates for rational compassion over emotional empathy, presenting a compelling case through examples and data. The writing style is persuasive, using neuroscientific research and real-world examples to support the argument against relying solely on empathy in moral decision-making.
If you liked Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion, here are the top 21 books to read next:
War Without Mercy by John W. Dower delves into the racial dynamics of the Pacific War, highlighting the extreme viciousness and racial attitudes that fueled the conflict between the Japanese and Americans. Dower presents a balanced perspective, showcasing how both nations dehumanized each other, leading to unimaginable brutality and atrocities during World War II.
To over fifty million men, women, and children, it meant death. To hundreds of millions more in the occupied areas and theaters of combat, the war meant hell on earth: suffering and grief, often with ...- #2
Save:The book follows the thirty-year quest of author Paul J. Steinhardt in search of natural quasicrystals, a novel form of matter thought to be impossible. The narrative is described as part scientific discovery, part detective story, and part field adventure, spiced up with encounters with legendary thinkers like Richard Feynman and Roger Penrose. Steinhardt's writing style is praised for being engaging, informative, and detailed, providing a qualitative description of quasicrystals that even non-scientists can appreciate.
The Caltech lecture room was packed with scientists from every discipline across campus. The discussion had gone remarkably well. But just as the last of the crowd was filing out, there arose a famili... - #3
Save:'Free Will' by Sam Harris challenges the notion of free will, arguing that it is an illusion. Through a concise and thought-provoking exploration of neuroscience and philosophy, Harris delves into the idea that our choices are determined by factors beyond our conscious control. Readers are confronted with the implications of living in a world where free will may not exist, sparking contemplation on the nature of morality, justice, and personal responsibility. Harris presents his argument in a clear and accessible manner, raising questions about the impact of deterministic beliefs on our understanding of human behavior and societal norms.
The question of free will touches nearly everything we care about. Morality, law, politics, religion, public policy, intimate relationships, feelings of guilt and personal accomplishment—most of what ... Nate Silver's book 'The Signal and the Noise' is a comprehensive exploration of predictions across various disciplines, from natural disasters to financial markets to politics. Silver emphasizes the importance of Bayesian reasoning, offers insights on understanding probability, and provides prescriptive ideas for educators. The book delves into the challenges of separating signal from noise in data analysis and decision-making, using real-world examples to illustrate the concepts. Silver's writing style is engaging, combining expert analysis with relatable anecdotes to make complex topics accessible to a wide audience.
When you make a prediction that goes so badly, you have a choice of how to explain it. One path is to blame external circumstances—what we might think of as “bad luck.” Sometimes this is a reasonable ...- #5
Save:'How the Mind Works' by Steven Pinker is a comprehensive exploration of the human mind, delving into topics such as evolutionary psychology, computational theory of the mind, consciousness, and cognitive evolution. Pinker discusses how our minds are composed of competing and cooperating modules that evolved for different goals, ultimately aiming to keep us alive and breeding. The book covers a wide range of subjects including neuroscience, sociology, computer science, and music, providing insights into what motivates humans and the implications of such motivations.
Why are there so many robots in fiction, but none in real life? I would pay a lot for a robot that could put away the dishes or run simple errands. But I will not have the opportunity in this century,... Steven Pinker explores the latest research in evolutionary psychology and human nature, debunking the myths of the Blank Slate, the Noble Savage, and the Ghost in the Machine. He argues for an innate and universal human nature bestowed upon us by our evolutionary past, providing thought-provoking insights into the implications of these theories.
“BLANK SLATE” IS a loose translation of the medieval Latin term tabula rasa—literally, “scraped tablet.” It is commonly attributed to the philosopher John Locke (1632–1704), though in fact he used a d...Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini is a classic book that delves into the psychology behind how people are influenced and persuaded. The book covers various techniques used in marketing and sales to manipulate human tendencies and decision-making processes. Cialdini explores six key principles of influence - reciprocation, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity - backed by academic research, real-life examples, and pragmatic advice. The writing style is described as insightful, practical, and engaging, providing readers with a deeper understanding of how they can be influenced and how to defend against unwanted manipulation.
I GOT A PHONE CALL ONE DAY FROM A FRIEND WHO HAD RECENTLY opened an Indian jewelry store in Arizona. She was giddy with a curious piece of news. Something fascinating had just happened, and she though...- #8
Save:'On Liberty' by John Stuart Mill is a seminal work of libertarian philosophy that focuses on the proper role of the individual versus the state and society. Mill argues for individual freedom and non-intervention by society unless an individual's actions harm others. The book delves into topics such as the importance of individual liberty, the potential harms of societal restrictions, and the role of government in protecting individual rights. Mill's writing style is described as readable, insightful, and thought-provoking, tackling complex philosophical ideas with clarity and depth.
The time, it is to be hoped, is gone by, when any defence would be necessary of the ‘liberty of the press’ as one of the securities against corrupt or tyrannical government. No argument, we may suppos... - #9
Save:'The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy' by Stephanie Kelton challenges conventional economic beliefs, arguing that governments do not need to tax their people for money and that deficits can be beneficial. Kelton explores the idea of optimizing economic systems for human development rather than exploitation and advocates for setting priorities based on human needs. delves into Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and its implications on government spending, monetary policy, and societal well-being.
In 2015, I took a leave of absence from my job teaching economics at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and moved to Washington, DC, to serve as the chief economist for the Democrats on the US Sen... The book, "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, delves into the concept of flow, where individuals are completely absorbed in an activity to the point where time seems to stand still. Csikszentmihalyi argues that achieving this state of flow is key to experiencing happiness and fulfillment in life. The book explores the conditions necessary to reach a flow state, provides practical suggestions on how to promote such conditions, and shares real-world examples of individuals who have benefited from experiencing flow.
Csikszentmihalyi's writing style in "Flow" is engaging and informative, backed by solid research findings. The book discusses the importance of setting goals, discovering purpose, engaging in relevant pursuits, keeping challenges in life, and being fully involved in experiences to cultivate flow. While some readers find the book to be more self-help oriented than expected, others appreciate the depth and scientific exploration of the concept of flow, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the psychology of optimal experience.
Although many articles and books on flow have been written for the specialist, this is the first time that the research on optimal experience is being presented to the general reader and its implicati...
