Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion

Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion is a 2016 book written by psychologist Paul Bloom. The book draws on the distinctions between empathy, compassion, and moral decision making. Bloom argues that empathy is not the solution to problems that divide people and is a poor guide for decision making. However, he is not completely against empathy; he believes that empathy can motivate kindness to make the world a better place.The book received mixed reviews. Some reviewers critiqued Bloom's case "against empathy," maintaining their belief that empathy is a useful tool.