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EMPATHYandtheArtofLivingRomanKrznaricBlackbird20072Firstpublishedin2007byTheBlackbirdCollective7StMary'sRoadOxfordOX41PXUnitedKingdomCopyrightRomanKrznaric2007RomanKrznaricassertthemoralrighttobeidentifiedastheauthorofthiswork.
Allrightsreserved.
Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinanyretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,withouteitherthepriorpermissionofthePublisheroralicencepermittingrestrictedcopyingintheUnitedKingdomissuedbytheCopyrightLicensingAgencyLtd,90TottenhamCourtRoad,LondonW1P9HE.
RomanKrznaricspecialisesincreativethinkingabouttheartoflivingandsocialchange.
UntilrecentlyhewasProjectDirectoratTheOxfordMuse,thefoundationestablishedbytheavant-gardethinkerTheodoreZeldintostimulatecourageandinventioninpersonal,professionalandculturallife.
Inadditiontorunningworkshopsandwritingbooksontheartofliving,hehasbeenaconsultanttoOxfamandtheUnitedNationsoneducationandhumandevelopment.
Forfurtherinformationandpublicationsseehiswebsite,www.
romankrznaric.
com.
3Couldagreatermiracletakeplacethanforustolookthrougheachother'seyesforaninstantHenryDavidThoreau4UnwantedphonecallsItisaquartertosevenonaTuesdayevening.
Youarecookingdinnerand,atthesametime,tryingtogetyourovertiredfive-year-oldtoputonhispyjamas.
Thephonerings.
Itcouldbeyourmotheroryoursquashpartner.
Butinallprobabilityitissomebodytryingtosellyousomething.
Youpickupthephone.
'Hello,isthatMrs____'Yournameismispronounced.
Youwereright.
Telesales.
Youinterrupttheirpitch,tellingthemyou'renotinterestedbeforeyouevenknowwhatthey'recallingabout.
Theyaskforjustafewminutesofyourtime.
Yourespond,impatiently,thatyou'rebusycookingandthatyou'renotinterested.
Andjustastheybeginanapology,youhangup.
Beingabruptorrudetotelesalespeopleisquitenormal.
Oneofthegentlest,mostthoughtfulpeopleIknowusuallyrespondswithirritation,'CouldyoupleasegivemeyourphonenumbersoIcanphoneyouduringyourdinner'IrarelyfeelannoyedorimpatientwhenmyeveningsareinterruptedbyasalescallfromastrangerinDublinorDacca.
ButthisisnotbecauseIamasaint.
ItisbecauseI'veworkedintelesalesmyselfandIknowwhatitislike.
WhenIleftuniversitymyfirstjobwasworkinginthekitchenofabarbequechickenandsandwichshopinSydney.
Afteranexhaustingtwelve-hourshiftwithonlyfifteenminutesforlunch,Iwassackedattheendofmyfirstdayfornotputtingthechickensontheskewersstraightandpeelingpotatoestooslowly.
Mysecondjob,andmythird,fourthandfifth,wereintelesales.
Ibegansellingachildren'sencyclopaedia,thenmovedontolaserprintertoner,ataxationjournaland,finally,photocopyingmachines.
Ihatedit.
Everyday,aroundanhourbeforeworkstarted,Ibeganfeelingsickinmystomach.
Intheofficewewerehandedpagesrippedfromphonebooksandorderedtodial.
Thedutymanagerpacedaround,listeningintoourconversations,gesturingtousto'close'thesale,orshoutingatustogetback5onthephoneandreachourtargets,otherwisewewouldn'tbereceivinganycommission.
And,ofcourse,almosteverypersonIcalledwantedtogetoffthephoneimmediately.
Icouldheartheannoyanceintheirvoices.
Mostnightsweweresubjecttoseriousverbalabuseatsomepoint.
Ididn'tfeelIcouldleave:Ineededthemoneyandtelesalespaidbetterthanafactoryjoborworkingasashopassistant.
ThisisanexperienceIhaveneverforgotten.
Now,whenIpickupthephoneandrealiseitisasalescall,Ipicturethecallersittinginacubiclewithmyfirstdutymanagerglaringaggressivelyovertheirshoulder.
Iknowthattheyareonlydoingitforthemoney,andthattheywouldratherbevisitingtheirsisterandhernewbabyorstudyingforaMastersdegreeinengineeringsystems.
Buttheyfeeltheyhavenochoice.
Theyneedthejob.
Somyapproachistobeaspoliteandengagingaspossible.
InearlyalwaystellthemthatIknowwhattheirjobislikebecauseI'vedoneittooandIwishthemwellwiththerestoftheircalls.
SometimesIgetintoconversationwiththemaboutwheretheyarecallingfrom,theirpassions,whattheywouldliketodowiththeirlives.
Iasktheirnameandtellthemmine.
Ialmostneverwanttobuywhattheyareselling,butItrytotreatthemasahumanbeingandmakeapersonalconnection,tobridgeourfacelessdivide.
TheageofoutrospectionMostbooksorcoursesontheartoflivingfocusonhowwecandiscoverwaysofimprovingourownlives.
Theemphasisis,unashamedly,onwhatcanbedonetohelpme.
Ifindthiskindofself-helpapproachtoonarrow,individualisticandnarcissistic.
Inmyexperience,thosepeoplewhohavelivedthemostjoyfulandfulfillingliveshavededicatedmuchoftheirtimetothinkingaboutandhelpingothers.
Ithasgiventhemnotonlypersonal6satisfactionbutalsoasenseofmeaning.
Theyhave,ineffect,livedaphilosophyof'Youare,thereforeIam'.
Einsteinrecognisedtheneedtomovebeyondself-helpwhenhesaid:'Strangeisoursituationhereuponearth.
Eachofuscomesforashortvisit,notknowingwhy,yetsometimesseemingtodivineapurpose.
Fromthestandpointofdailylife,however,thereisonethingwedoknow:thatmanishereforthesakeofothermen.
'Wewillalwaysfeelsomethingmissingifweattempttolivealone,hermeticallysealedinanisolationofourownmaking,thinkingonlyofourownpleasuresandpains.
Themysteryofexistenceisconstitutedbyourrelationswitheachother.
Thetwentiethcenturywasanageofintrospection,whenpsychoanalysisimpelledustosearchforwhowearebylookinginsideourownheads.
Buttheartoflivinginvolvesescapingfromtheprisonofourownfeelingsanddesires,andembracingthelivesofothers.
Thetwenty-firstcenturyshouldbetheageofoutrospection,wherewediscoverourselvesbylearningaboutotherpeople,andfindingouthowtheylive,thinkandlookattheworld.
Empathyisattheheartofhowtoliveandwhattodo,andistheultimateartformfortheageofoutrospection.
Empathy:anemotionalconnectionoranimaginativeleapWhatexactlyisempathyTheconceptwasinventedoveracenturyagobyGermanpsychologistsandnowhastwomainmeanings.
Thetraditionalapproachistothinkaboutempathyasanemotionalconnectionbetweenindividuals.
Adifferentapproach,andtheoneIconsideressentialfortheartofliving,isempathyasanimaginativeleapinwhichyouendeavourtounderstandtheworldfromtheperspectiveofanotherperson.
Ifyouopenapsychologytextbookyouwillusuallyencounterthefirstapproach,inwhichempathyisdefinedasthe7capacitytoshareorpartakeintheemotionallifeofothers.
Thatis,beingabletofeelwhatanotherpersonfeels,suchaswhenyoufeelanguishuponseeingthetearfulanguishonthefaceofachild.
Everytimeyouwincewhenyouseesomeoneinpain,youaredisplayingempathy.
Thissharingofexperienceisdifferentfromsympathy,whenyourresponsedoesnotmirrortheirs,forinstancefeelingpityforsomeonewhoisfeelingbereftafterthedeathofafamilymember.
Empathyofthiskindisusuallyconsideredaninnatecharacteristicoverwhichwehavelittlecontrol,aproductofournaturesthatcompetes,oftenuncomfortably,withourselfishinnerdrives,aggressivenessandcapacityforcruelty.
Inrecentdecadessocialpsychologistsandevolutionarybiologistshavehighlightedthispreviouslyneglectedaspectofourbeingsandsocialrelations.
Theyarguethatitisjustasnaturalforustofeelthepainsandjoysofothers,andtosufferorenjoywiththem,asitisforustobepreoccupiedwithourselfinterest.
Weallhavethiscapacitytoempathisealthoughitmaybemoredevelopedinsomegroupsthanothers,suchasinwomenmorethanmen(adisputedfinding),oramongstfamilymembersmorethanbetweenstrangers.
Neuroscientistshaveconductedexperimentsrevealinghowourempathicfeelingsforothersaredistinctfromourfeelingsaboutourselves.
Thefigurebelowshowsthevariationseenwhenpeoplethinkaboutthemselvesgettingtheirfingerpinchedinadoorcomparedtothinkingaboutthesamethinghappeningtoanotherperson:differentneuralmechanismsareatwork.
8Differentpartsofthebrainignitewhenwethinkabouttheselfinpain(above)comparedwithwhenwethinkaboutanotherinpain(below).
Ourabilitytoshareintheemotionallifeofotherindividualsisprobablytheproductofanevolutionaryimperative:amotherwhofeelsthepainofherchildismorelikelytocareforthemandensuretheirsurvival;andmembersofacommunitywhoaresensitivetoeachother'sneedsandsufferingmaybeinastrongerpositiontothrive,especiallyiftheyaremutuallydependentupononeanotherinsomeway(e.
g.
forfoodorprotection).
Iaminterestedhere,however,inadifferentformofempathy,butonewhichalsoinvolvesextendingourselvesbeyondourownegoandself-interest.
Thisisempathyastheimaginativeactofsteppingintoanotherperson'sshoesandbeingabletolookattheworldfromtheirperspective.
Todothisyouneedtodevelopanunderstandingoftheirhopes,fears,ambitions,beliefs,prejudicesandotheraspectsoftheirworldview.
Theactofviewingtheworldfromthevantagepointofothersissometimescalled'perspectivetaking'.
Wedoitallthetime,andTheideasoflookingattheworldthroughtheeyesofothersandperspectivetakingreflecttheprevalenceofvisualmetaphorsinourlanguage.
Icouldalsotalk,forinstance,abouthearingtheworldthroughtheearsofothers,yetsuchalternativeexpressionsareso9itisreflectedincommonphrasessuchas'Iseewhatyoumean','Ireallyknowwhereyou'recomingfrom','Whatmusthebefeeling'or'Wouldn'tyouhatetobeher'.
Unlikethefirstformofempathy,thissecondkindofperspective-takingempathyismoreaproductofnurturethannature,anelementofourbeingsthatwehaveagreaterpowertoinfluenceanddevelop.
Iconsideritanartthatcanbecultivated.
ButhowcanitbedoneTheartofempatheticimaginingTheChristiantraditioncontainsanapparentlyworthyidealthatyoushould'dountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou'.
Theproblemwiththisisthatitmakesyourperspective,nottheirs,thepriority.
GeorgeBernardShawwasawareofthiswhenhequipped:'Donotdountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou.
Theymayhavedifferenttastes.
'IfIlikechickensoup,itmaynotbethecasethatyoudotoo.
Ifwearetotakeempathyseriously,weshouldinsteadplaceoureffortinattemptingtoimaginetheperspective,thedesires,thehopesandbeliefsoftheotherperson.
Thisistheessenceofperhapsthemostfamousstatementontheartofempathising,whichwasmadebyMahatmaGandhi.
IrememberfeelingashiverrunupmyspinewhenIfirstreadthisquote,asifIhadsuddenlybeengivenaccesstothetruthaboutbeinghuman:'Iwillgiveyouatalisman.
Wheneveryouareindoubt,orwhentheselfbecomestoomuchwithyou,applythefollowingtest.
Recallthefaceofthepoorestandtheweakestmanwhomyoumayhaveseen,andaskyourself,ifthestepyoucontemplateisgoingtobeofanyusetohim.
WillhegainanythingbyitWillitrestorehimtoacontroloverhisownlifeanddestinyInotherwords,willitleadtoswaraj[freedom]forthehungryanduncommonthattheymightconfusemorethanclarifywhatIwishtosay.
10spirituallystarvingmillionsThenyouwillfindyourdoubtsandyourselfmeltaway.
'Thereismuchbeautyandwisdominthisquote.
Forastartitisamoralframeworkthateachofuscanfollow:toconsidertheperspectiveofthemostmarginalisedmembersofsocietyinanydecisionthatwemake,andtoensurethattheybenefitfromitinsomeway.
Itisalsoaguidetoconfrontourownexistentialdifficulties.
Whenwefeelparalysedbydoubtorentangledinpersonalproblemsandobsessionstotheextentthatwedonotknowwhattodonext,wecanfindliberationthroughanactofempatheticimaginingthatsuggestswhichpathweshouldtake.
Thetalismanhasthepotentialtoprovideclarityinourstateofconfusionorindecision.
Thequestionthatremains,however,ishowdoweknowwhatthepoorestandweakestpersonactuallyneedsAndwhatdoweknowabouttheneedsandthoughtsofotherswithwhomwemaywishtoempathise,suchasaprisonerondeathrowinTexas,aMayanpeasantfarmerfromtheGuatemalanHighlands,orevenafriendwhoisinthemidstofanemotionalcrisisWemustdiscoverwaysofdeepeningourempathyifwearetosucceedwithGandhi'stalisman.
Themereactofimaginingisnotenough,forweriskimposingourowndesiresonothers,justastheChristianmaximwouldhaveusdo.
Itispossibletomakeagoodattemptatdeepeningourempathywithothers,eventhosewhomaybeverydifferentfromus.
Therearethreemainwaysofdoingso:Learning-abouttheirbeliefs,livesandculturesfrombooks,films,photosandotherartworksandinformationsourcesConversation-withthemthatisbothprofoundandpersonal,andwhichgetsbeyondsuperficialtalkExperience-ofhowtheylivesothatyoucanunderstandwhattheyhavegonethroughforyourself.
11Thelatterapproachiswhatallowsmetoempathisewithtelesalesworkers.
I'vedoneit.
Iknowmostofthemarenotintentonannoyingme;theyaresimplytryingtomakealiving,oftenindifficultcircumstances.
Threethingsoftenfollowfromtheseformsofempatheticimagining.
First,youmaycometorecogniseandappreciatethepersonasauniquehumanbeingratherthanafacelessrepresentativeofsomesocialgroupsuchas'apeasant','acriminal','arichbanker'or'aChinesewoman'.
Second,youmayfindyourselfcompelledtotakeactionontheirbehalf,especiallyifyoucometounderstandthattheyaresufferinginsomeway.
Third,individualempathisingmayleadtolarge-scalesocialchangeifithappensonamassscale.
Soempathisingisaboutmorethancomprehendingtheworldviewofanotherperson;italsohasthepotentialtoencouragepracticalactionandsocialtransformation.
Beyondthis,empathisingwillbringyouunexpectedinsightsandinspirationinyourownlife,andexpandyourcuriosity,creativityandpossibilities.
Perhapsyourpersonalproblemswillpaleintoinsignificancewhenyoufindoutwhatothersaregoingthrough,oryouwilldiscovernewwaystoworkorlovethatyouhadnotpreviouslyconsidered.
Empathisingwillalsoservethevitalpurposeofhelpingtochallengeyourprejudicesandassumptions.
WhenIhearpeoplesay,'Iammakinganobjectivejudgement'or'I'mnotracist,Itreateveryonethesame',Iimmediatelybecomewary(exceptinthecaseofW.
C.
Fields:'I'mfreeofallprejudices.
Ihateeveryoneequally.
').
ThedayIbelievethatIhaveovercomeallmyprejudicesandassumptionsisthedaythatIdisappearintoapuffofimpossibility.
Oneofthemostimportantcharacteristicsofprejudicesisthattheyaredeeplyingrained,theyhavebecomehabitualwaysofthinkingthatwebarelynotice,letalonequestion,andareamongstthemostsignificantbarriersweconfrontwhenpursuingtheartofliving.
Thereisawell-knownvideoclipthatisfrequentlyusedtodemonstratethepervasivenessofracialstereotypes.
Thefilm12cutsbackandforthbetweenawhitemanrunningandablackmanrunningthroughthestreetsinsomekindofpolicechase.
Whiteaudiencesinvariablybelievethatitisawhiteplain-clothespoliceofficerchasingablackcriminal.
Buttotheirsurprisetheydiscoverintheendthatitistheotherwayaround.
IfIamwalkinginadarkstreetatnight,IfindthatIammorewaryofyoungblackmenthanyoungwhitemen,andammorelikelytocrosstotheothersideoftheroadtoavoidagroupofblackyouths.
Clearly,partofmeassumesthatblackmenaremorelikelytobemuggers.
IrealisethatthisisaclassicracialstereotypebutitisaprejudicethatIhavefounddifficulttoovercome(eventhoughtheonlytimeIwasmuggeditwasbytwowhiteguys).
TodayyoucanwitnessanalmostvisibleshiveroffearwheneveranybeardedAsianmanwitharucksackwalksintoaLondontubecarriage;obviouslyhe'sapotentialterroristandsuicidebomber.
Prejudiceandassumptionsareapartofdailylifeanddeepeningyourempathywithotherswillhelperodethem.
Thethreepathwaystoempathy-learning,conversationandexperience-areallchallengingandrewardingjourneysintheirownways.
Iwouldliketobeginwithlearning,whichistheeasiesttoincorporateintodailylife,thenfollowthiswithconversation,whichisusuallymoredifficulttopursue,andfinishwithexperience,possiblythemostdemandingpathwayofall.
EmpathythroughlearningThemostcommonwaytodiscovertheperspectivesofothersisbylearningaboutthemthroughbooks,films,plays,photos,andotherartworksandinformationsources.
Themostenlighteningaregenerallythosethatattempttoportraytheparticularviewpointofanindividual,asinthecaseoffirst-personnarrativesorself-portraiture.
Thistakesusintotherealmofsubjectiveexperienceratherthanobjectivetruths;theeyeofthe13beholderratherthantheviewfromnowhere.
Somesources,particularlyfilms,alsoillustratetheprocessofpeopledeepeningtheirempathy,providingmodelsthatmayinspireourownactions.
Althoughtheapproachoflearningis'indirect'inthatwemaynevermeettheindividualswehopetoempathisewith,itisapowerfulwayofopeningupourmindstounknownanddistantlives.
IntheWesternworld,thehistoryofempathythroughbooksbeginswiththeinventionofautobiography,whichisoftendatedtothesixteenthcentury.
ApioneeringworkwasTheMemoirsofBenvenutoCellini,WrittenByHimself,composedin1558inFlorence,wheretheauthorwasawell-knowngoldsmithandsculptor.
Cellini'smemoirsaresofullofboastfulness,self-conceitandoutrightfalsehoodsthatitisdifficulttogaindeepinsightsintohowhereallysawhimselfandhissociety.
FarmorerevealingaretheEssaysbytheFrencharistocratMicheldeMontaigne,thefirstvolumesofwhichappearedin1580.
ComparedwithCellini,Montaigneisfarmorehonest,modestandself-aware.
Ratherthanpresentingachronologicalnarrativeofhislife,Montaigne'sessaystaketheformofreflectionsonanextraordinaryrangeofthemes,includingidleness,friendship,cannibals,thecustomofwearingclothes,farting,experience,imagination,impotenceandeducation.
Throughthesesubjectsheinvestigatesandchallengeshimself,hisbeliefs,hisemotions,andhisresponses,guidedbythequestionhehadinscribedonamedalin1576:Quesais-jeWhatdoIknowHisessaysshownotonlythemindofasixteenth-centuryEuropeannobleman,butalsoofanexplorerwhowasmoreinterestedindiscoveringhimselfthandistantlands.
Yettheselfhediscoveredwasaplacefamiliartoall,for'everymanbearsthewholestampofthehumancondition'.
ThetraditionofautobiographythatcanbetracedbacktoMontaignehashadenormousinfluenceinhelpingusimaginethelivesofstrangers,betheyfromdifferentcultures,generations,occupationsorhistoricalperiods.
AutobiographicalworksbyBenjaminFranklin,HenryDavidThoreau,Mahatma14Gandhi,AnneFrank,NelsonMandelaandmanyothershavetransportedusandchangedus.
ManypeoplehavebeeninspiredbythewritingsofHelenKeller,adeaf-blindwomanwhoseautobiographyTheStoryofMyLifehasbeenabestsellersinceitspublicationin1903.
Heressay'TheSeeingHand',whichappearedfiveyearslater,showsthehiddenrealitiesofherworld:'Myhandistomewhatyourhearingandsighttogetheraretoyou.
Inlargemeasurewetravelthesamehighways,readthesamebooks,speakthesamelanguage,yetourexperiencesaredifferent…Rememberthatyou,dependentonyoursight,donotrealizehowmanythingsaretangible.
Allpalpablethingsaremobileorrigid,solidorliquid,bigorsmall,warmorcold,andthesequalitiesarevariouslymodified.
Thecoolnessofawater-lilyroundingintobloomisdifferentfromthecoolnessofaneveningwindinsummer,anddifferentagainfromthecoolnessoftherainthatsoaksintotheheartsofgrowingthingsandgivesthemlifeandbody.
Thevelvetoftheroseisnotthatofaripepeachorofababy'sdimpledcheek.
Thehardnessoftherockistothehardnessofwoodwhataman'sdeepbassistoawoman'svoicewhenitislow.
WhatIcallbeautyIfindincertaincombinationsofallthesequalities,andislargelyderivedfromtheflowofcurvedandstraightlineswhichisoverallthings.
'Whereaswemaythinkoftheworldofadeaf-blindpersonasoneofsilenceanddarkness,HelenKellerremindsusthatitcanbefilledwithbeautyandsubtlety.
Moreover,thisinsightintoherpersonalexperiencemayencourageustoexpandourownsenseexperiences,tobecomemoreawareofthetextureofthecheekwelovinglytouch,thescentofaripetomato,orthechangingtoneofaclosefriend'svoice.
Thisisthepowerofempathythroughlearning.
Justasimportantastheautobiographiesoffamousindividualshavebeenthestoriesofthelesseminent,oftenbroughttolifethroughthetestimonyoforalhistories.
Thegatheringoflifenarratives,particularlyfromthepoor,exploitedandmarginalised,hasbeenincreasinglypopularsincethe1950s.
15TheChildrenofSanchez(1959),bytheanthropologistOscarLewis,providedextraordinaryinsightsintolifeintheslumsofMexicoCity.
WhentheoralhistorianStudsTerkelpublishedWorking:PeopleTalkAboutWhatTheyDoAllDayandHowTheyFeelAboutWhatTheyDo(1972),thefirst-personnarrativesopenedupthelivesandemotionsofsteelworkers,policemen,prostitutes,busdrivers,dentists,hairstylists,lawyersanddozensofotherworkersintheUnitedStates.
OneofmypersonalfavouritesisI,RigobertaMenchú(1984),inwhichtheNobelPeacePrizewinnergivesahumanfacetolifeasapoor,indigenouswomaninGuatemaladuringthecountry'scivilwarinthe1970sand1980s.
Itsunforgettableandiconicopeninglinesare:'MynameisRigobertaMenchú.
Iamtwenty-threeyearsold.
Thisismytestimony.
Ididn'tlearnitfromabookandIdidn'tlearnitalone.
I'dliketostressthatit'snotonlymylife,it'salsothetestimonyofmypeople.
It'shardformetoremembereverythingthat'shappenedtomeinmylifesincetherehavebeenmanyverybadtimes,but,yes,momentsofjoyaswell.
Theimportantthingisthatwhathashappenedtomehashappenedtomanyotherpeopletoo:MystoryisthestoryofallpoorGuatemalans.
Mypersonalexperienceistherealityofawholepeople.
'ReadingthestoryofRigobertaMenchúhelpedinspiremetodiscovertherealitiesofGuatemala'scivilwarformyselfandtodohumanrightsworkinthecountry'sremotejungleareaswithrefugeeswhohadoriginallyfledthearmy'sgenocideagainstindigenousMayans.
Thefictionalequivalentoforalhistoryisthepsychologicalnovel,whereweareinvitedtoenterthemindofacharacterandtotravelthroughthestoryusingtheireyes.
InViriginiaWoolf'sTheWaves(1931)thestoryistoldfromtheperspectiveoffiveindividuals,withallthedialogueandactionbeingsubmergedintheirthoughts.
Theoriginalityofthebookisthatthereaderisgivenaccesstonothingbuttheinnerworldsofthecharacters.
IoncespokeoutatalecturebyafamousscholarofWoolf,playfullysuggestingthatthisbookfailsbecauseallthecharacters16soundthesame;anydifferencesintheirperspectivesareoverriddenbythemallcomingacrossaspretentiousbourgeoisintellectualsininter-warBritain,justliketheauthor.
SherespondedasifIhadcommittedblasphemy,withasharpputdownthatexposedmyignoranceofmodernistliterature.
Nevertheless,IstillthinkthatTheWaveshighlightsoneoftheproblemsofempathyinthenovel,forinattemptingtodepicttheviewpointsandconsciousnessofothers,theauthorwillinevitablyprojecttheirownperspectives,experiences,andassumptionsontotheircharacters.
WhenIwroteanovel,Ifoundmyselftrappedbythelimitsofmyownexperienceandimagination.
Imagesalsohavealonghistoryofprovidinginsightsintohowotherslookattheworld.
Inart,self-portraiture,andportraituremoregenerally,isanopportunitytointerpretthethoughtsandemotionsofthesubject,toseelifethroughtheireyes.
Rembrandtknewthatasingleimagewasnotenoughtoembracethewholeworldviewandexperienceofanindividual,soheproducedalmostahundredpicturesofhimselfindifferentguises.
Ifindmanyofhisself-portraitsenigmatic,includingthisonedonejustbeforehisdeath,in1669.
Icannottellhowmuchthispaintingisaboutsadnessandregret,andwhetherhefelthislifehadbeenwasted.
Perhaps,however,thisisanambiguityheintentionallywishedtocommunicate.
17Althoughastimulustotheempatheticimagination,traditionalself-portraitureandportraiturerarelydisplaythemultiplicityofpeople'spersonalities,theircontradictionsandassumptions,thevarietyoftheirsecretsanddreams.
Ultimatelythemainuseofreflectinguponandrespondingtoaportraitmaybetodiscovermoreaboutourselves.
Inthetwentiethcentury,thephotographicimagebecamemoreimportantthanpaintingasameansofvisuallyrevealingtheperspectivesofothers.
ThisphotoofgoldminersintheSerraPeladainBrazilbySebastioSalgadoisacommentaryonhowheviewstheworld:itisaplaceofhellishslavery,whereDante'sInfernoisarealityratherthanapoem.
Hisphotosofchildrenprovokeotherthoughts:whydoeshewantustoseepoorchildrendressedasangels,withaheavenlyskyaboveThefinestphotographersarenotjustrecordinganimage,snappingamomentintime.
Theyareinvitingustolookattheworlddifferently,toexpandourwaysofseeing.
1819InherbookOnPhotography,SusanSontagarguedthat'imagesanaesthetize',thatwearesobombardedbyimagesofthesufferingofothersthateventuallyweceasetohaveanemotionalresponse.
ThismaybetrueofnewspaperphotosofstarvingchildreninAfricabutitispreciselythecreativityofphotographerssuchasSalgadothatcanturnanimageintoanempatheticrevelation.
Morethanthis,wecanfocusourinterpretationontheimage-makermorethantheimageitself.
Givetwopeopleacameraeachandaskthemtophotographtheirneighbourhood,andtheywillreturnwithdifferentimages,evidenceoftheiruniquevisionandunderstanding.
Bydepictingthepassageoftime,filmcanprovideempatheticinsightsthataredeniedtopaintingandphotography.
Inparticular,itispossibletoshowhowindividualshaveundergoneprocessesofdeepeningtheirownempathywithothers.
AfamousexampleisexploredinSchindler'sList,afilmbasedonthelifeofOskarSchindler,aGermanbusinessmanwholivedinoccupiedCracowduringtheSecondWorldWar.
AtthebeginningofthefilmSchindlerisportrayedasaloyalsupporteroftheNaziregimeandwearsaswastikapinnedtohislapel.
HewantstosetupafactoryproducingfieldkitchenwareandmesskitsfortheGermanArmyandasksaJewishaccountant,ItzhakStern(whohasexperienceintheindustry),tohelphim.
AtthisstageSchindlertreatshisrelationshipwithSternasnothingmorethanameanstotheendofestablishingasuccessfulbusinessandtakingopportunityofthewareconomy.
Whenstartingupthefactory,SterntellsSchindlerthatusingJewishworkerswouldbecheaperthanemployingPolesbutpointsoutthatallthewagesoftheJewsgodirectlytotheSS.
Schindler,however,isoblivioustothehumanitarianissuethattheJewswouldbeworkingasslavelabour:hesimplywantsthemastheywouldbecheaper.
AlthoughSchindlerisnotthekindofpersonwhoexpressesopenhatredofJews,heinitiallytreatshisJewishworkerswithindifference,asafacelessmass20withoutindividuality,rightsorequalworthtogentilessuchashimself.
Schindler'scharactertransformsasthefilmprogresses.
Clearlypleasedthathisnewfactoryisoperatingsowell,hecallsSternintohisoffice,offershimadrink,anddeclares,'Myfatherwasfondofsayingyouneedthreethingsinlife.
Agooddoctor,aforgivingpriestandagoodaccountant.
'Heraiseshisglasstohisaccountant.
Itisthebeginningofanunlikelyfriendship.
Fromthispointon,therelationshipbetweenthemdevelopsmoreprofoundly.
SchindlersavesSternfrombeingtransportedtothedeathcamps,andlatersmuggleshimfoodandothervaluableitemswhenheisforcedtoliveandworkinacampinPlaszowrunbythesadisticcommandantAmosGoeth.
ThefactthatSchindlerisnowwillingtotakepersonalrisksforSternisevidencethathehascometoempathisewithhimasahumanbeing.
LiamNeesonasOskarSchindlerandBenKingsleyasItzhakSterninSchindler'sList.
ThemandatoryStarofDavidisjustvisibleonStern'scoat.
AparallelplotisthewaythatSchindlerfeelsincreasinglycompelledtoprotectandhelphisfactoryworkers,whosenamesandliveshehasgraduallycometoknow.
Whenhefindsout21thattheyaretobetransportedtoAuschwitz,hebribesGoeth(athugefinancialcosttohimself)sothattheyandtheirfamiliesaresentinsteadtoanew,effectivelyfictitious,munitionsfactorythatSchindlerissettingupacrosstheborderinCzechoslovakia.
These1200peopleareputonalist-Schindler'sList-andaresavedfromthedeathcamps.
Thefilmendswiththefollowingwordsappearingonthescreen:'TherearefewerthanfivethousandJewsleftaliveinPolandtoday.
TherearemorethansixthousanddescendentsoftheSchindlerJews.
'WhydoesSchindlerdecidetosavehisJewishworkers,riskinghisownlifeintheprocessInmyview,itisnotsimplybecausehefeelssomegeneralsenseofcompassionforthemorbelievesthattheirtreatmentbytheNazisisagrossinjustice.
Analternativeexplanationisthathehas,overtime,cometoknowhisemployeesasindividuals,hashadpersonalencounterswiththem,andappreciatesthattheyhavehopes,fearsandpassionslikeanybodyelse.
Butitismorethanthis.
HisrelationshipwithSternisthekeythatopenshimuptoempathisingwiththem.
OncetheJewishaccountantSternbecomesanindividualandfriendinhiseyes,Schindlermakesanempatheticleaptothecollective,soallhislabourersceasetobefacelessJews.
Eachofthemmustbetreatedasauniquehumanbeing.
Towardstheveryendofthefilm,SchindlerintroducesSterntohiswifewiththewords,'Sternismyaccountantandfriend'.
ThismaybeSchindler'sgreatestexpressionofhumanityandthemostsignificantlineinthefilm.
Schindler'sList,then,isnotthestoryofan'altruisticpersonality',somebodywhorescueshisJewishworkersoutofsomedeepandnaturalmoralsensibility.
Itisthestoryofapersonwhograduallylearnstoempathiseandrelatetohislabourersasindividuals.
Assoonhegrantsthemhumanity,hefeelscompelledtoassistthem.
ButwithouthisfriendshipwithItzhakStern,SchindlermayneverhaveescapedhisinitialdisregardoftheJews.
Thereareseveralmessageshere:thatourabilitytoempathiseisnotfixedbutcanchangeanddevelopthroughtime;thatpersonalrelationshipsareasourceof22empathetictransformation;andthatrecognisingtheindividualityofotherpeoplecaninspireustotakeactionontheirbehalf.
Exposingourselvestobooks,paintings,photographs,films,andotherartsandinformationsourcesremainsavitalmeansofdiscoveringhowotherpeopleseetheworld,especiallythoseindistantplaceswhoweareunlikelyevertomeetorthosewhoselivesaresodifferentfromourownthatwewillneverexperiencewhattheygothroughforourselves.
Inthissense,culturallearningbecomesaformoftravelintothemindsofothers,takingourempathicimaginingsintounexpectedandunknownrealms.
Butwhichrealms,andwhichpeople,wouldyouliketodiscoverInthisageoftheinternetandinformationoverload,thechoicesmayseemoverwhelming.
Youmightwishtotrysomeofthefollowing:Films:InadditiontoSchindler'sList,watchotherfilmsinwhichlearningtoseetheworldfromtheperspectiveofothersandsteppingintotheirshoesisamajortheme,suchas:AllQuietontheWesternFront,BeingJohnMalkovich,GandhiandTradingPlaces.
MorerecentexamplesarethetwofilmsdirectedbyClintEastwoodthatdepict,respectively,theJapaneseandAmericanexperiencesoftheBattleofIwoJimaintheSecondWorldWar:LettersfromIwoJimaandFlagsofOurFathers.
Booksandwebsites:Therecommendedreadingsandwebsitesattheendofthisessaywillstimulateyourempatheticthinking.
TheOxfordMusewebsite,forinstance,containsagalleryof'writtenportraits'ofpeoplefrommanycountriesandbackgroundstalkingabouttheirlivesandemotionsintheirownwords.
Youcouldtailoryourreadingtofillgapsinyourunderstandingortoexplorefamiliarterritoryinfreshways.
BeforetravellingtonewplacesIendeavourto23readoralhistoriesofthepeoplewholivetheretohelpmegetbeyondtheanodyneandimpersonalcommentaryofstandardtouristguides.
IamalsocurrentlyattemptingtoshedmyignoranceaboutwhereIlivebyreadingastudyofthePakistaniMuslimcommunityinmyowncity.
ArtandPhotography:Artistswhoseworkparticularlyencouragesthinkingaboutlifefromtheperspectiveofothersinclude:Rembrandt,especiallyhisself-portraits;SalvadorDalí,whoexploreshisownunconscious;FreidaKahlo,whoseautobiographicalpaintingdepictsherpainandsuffering;andAntonyGormley,whosesculpturesexplorethemeaningofhisownbody.
AmongsttheendlesschoiceofphotographersyoucouldstartwithsocialdocumentaryphotographerssuchasSebastioSalgado,DonMcCullin,RomanVishniac,DorotheaLange,WalkerEvansandLewisHine.
Games:Ifyouwouldratherrecreation,youcandownloadtheinteractivevideogamePeaceMaker,whichisdesignedtodevelopempathyandanunderstandingofmultipleperspectivesaroundtheIsraeli-Palestinianconflict.
Youcanchoosetobeoneithersideandmustmakepolitical,militaryandeconomicdecisionsinresponsetosuicidebombs,socialprotestsandthefluxofworldevents.
Beware:yourfailurecouldleadtoanewIntifada.
EmpathythroughconversationMostofusliveinasmallworldoffriends,familyandacquaintances,surroundedbystrangersaboutwhomweknowlittle.
Thesearenotjustpeoplewholiveonthefringesofsociety,outofsightandoutofmind,suchasasylumseekersor24elderlyfolkconfinedtonursinghomes.
Italsoincludesindividualsweseeeverydaybutmakelittleefforttoengagewith.
Perhapsyoudon'tknowthenameofthewomanwhodeliversyourposteachmorningandhavebarelyspokentothequietlibrarianlivingacrosstheroad.
AndwhataboutthatguyyouseecyclingpastyourhouseeverydaywithacellocaseonhisbackThereareotherswhoneverseemtocrossourpaths.
Maybeyouhavenevermetaprisonguardorawealthyinsurancebroker.
DoyouknowanyonewithaterminalillnessUntilrecentlyIhadnevermetanybodywhoworksatthecarfactorynearmyhome,eventhoughitemploysthousandsofpeople,manyofwhomliveinneighbouringstreets.
Wearestrandedfromeachotheronaninterconnectedplanet.
Itisdifficulttoempathisewithpeoplewedon'tknow.
Wecanonlyguessatwhatishappeninginsidetheirheads.
Oneofthemostinterestingandeasiestwaystocrossthebarrieranddevelopempathywithastrangerissimplytohaveaconversationwiththem.
LastSaturdayIwaswalkingalongtheHighStreetinOxford,whereIlive,whenIsawadishevelledmancomingtowardsme.
Heworethick,cheapplasticglasses,hishairwasmatted,hisclothesunkempt.
Hewasalsomutteringtohimselfthroughdecaying,brokenteeth.
HereceivedstrangelooksfromthepassingshoppersandIcouldseethemsteppingasidesotheydidnothavetobrushhim.
HestoppedmeandaskedifIcouldhelphim.
'Whatdoyouneed'Iresponded.
'I'verunoutofcigarettes.
AndI'vegotnomoney.
'SoIreplied,'Howmuchdoyouneedforcigarettes''Threequid.
'Itookoutmywalletandhandedhimfourpounds.
Hesaidheonlyneededthree.
Iinsistedhetakeitall.
Hethankedmeandweparted.
WhydidIgivehimthismoneyBecauseIknowhim.
AndIlikehim.
25HisnameisAlanHumanandheis,amongstotherthings,aparanoidschizophrenicwithahistoryofviolence.
Alanhaslivedonthestreetsforyearsandhasbeenlockedupinpsychiatrichospitalsseventeentimes,certifiedinsaneunderSection3oftheMentalHealthAct.
Nowinhisfifties,fewpeopleknowthathehasadegreeinphilosophy,politicsandeconomicsfromOxfordUniversity.
AlanhasoneofthemostacuteandoriginalmindsofanyoneIknowbutmostpeoplesimplyconsiderhim-iftheyconsiderhimatall-asahomelessnutcase.
ImetAlanafewyearsagowhenIwasworkingatTheOxfordMusefoundationonaprojectcreatingwrittenportraitsofpeopleinthecity,individualswhosevoicesarerarelyheard,whosethoughtsandexperiencesoflifeareoftenignored.
Itinvolvedhavingtwoextensiverecordedconversationswithhim(eachofaroundthreehours),inwhichwespoketogetherabouthowwelookedatourselvesandtheworld.
Amongstthetopicswediscussedwerehowourprioritieshadchangedovertheyears,whatwehadlearnedaboutloveinthecourseofourlives,andhowweovercameourfears.
Theconversationswereamutualsharingofourapproachestotheartoflivingratherthanaone-wayinterrogationfocusedonhismentalillness.
Ieditedthetranscriptsintoaportraitofhimspeakingabouthislifeinhisownwords.
OncehehadagreedonthetextitwaspublishedonTheOxfordMusewebsite.
Laterhisportrait(whichhereallyloved)appearedinabookand,tohisdelight,wasadaptedforaplay.
Heoftenintroduceshimselftopeoplebyshowingthem26hisportrait,tohelpthemgetbeyondtheirinitialassumptionsandprejudicesabouthim.
SinceIcreatedtheportrait,wefrequentlybumpintoeachotheronthestreetandtalkmoralphilosophy,andoccasionallygooutforlunch.
SometimesAlansendsmenotesinthepostonhislatestphilosophicalmusings.
HeveryrarelyasksformoneywhenIseehim,althoughheislivinganextremelymeagreexistenceonsocialsecurityandisalmostperpetuallyshortofcash.
Iknowthatifheasks,hereallyneedsit.
AndIknowthatthecigarettesareinaverygoodcause.
Hesaysherequiresaroundahundredcigarettesadaytofeelstable,andcanquoteacademicresearchshowingthatpsychoticsneedtoself-medicateusingnicotine.
Andincaseyouwantedtoknowmoreabouthisname,thisiswhatheoncetoldme:'In1980Ichangedmynamebydeedpole.
IhadsixchildrenwithdifferentsurnamesandIthoughtwhatweshoulddoisgoforourcommonhumanity,thelowestcommondenominator,soIchangedmynamefromAlanLewistoAlanHuman.
Twoofmyex-wives,andtwoofmychildren,arechristenedortookthenameHumanforatime.
Butnowthey'veallrevertedtotheirothernames,soI'mtheonlyHumanleftinourfamily.
'MyfriendshipwithAlanhasalteredseveralaspectsofmylife.
Mostsurprisingly,talkingwithAlanplayedadecisiveroleinconvincingmetotrybeingavegetarian.
HisargumentsweremoremorallycompellingthananyothersIhadfound.
Infact,Ihavebeeninfluencedmoregenerallybyhisrigorousmodeofthinking.
Heisremarkablyanalytical,inspiringmetosharpenmyownlazythinkingandarguments,especiallyonethicalissues.
KnowingAlanhasmademelesslikelytojudgepeoplebytheirappearancesandhasexpandedmycuriosity.
Isimplyengagemorewithpeoplenow,convincedthatalmosteverybodyhasinterestingandunusualideasandexperiencesthatwillbroadenmyownperspectives.
SoItalkwithwaiters,businessmen,plumbers,priests.
Ihavealsodevelopedabetterrelationshipwithoneofmyrelativeswhosuffersfrom27schizophrenia.
Ihaveadeeperunderstandingofwhatsheisgoingthroughandhavebecomemoresympathetictowardsher,moretolerantofherobsessions,andmorewillingtolearnfromher.
Finally,themostobviouseffectofknowingAlanisthatwhenIwalkbysomeonelivingonthestreetorbeggingformoney,Iamnowmuchmorelikelytotreatthemasahumanbeing.
Iwillstopandtalkor,attheveryleast,lookthemintheeyeandacknowledgethem.
Theseencounters,whilesometimesbrief,makemefeelmorehuman,moreconnectedtoboththeworldandmyself.
ApartfromcreatingwrittenPortraitsatTheOxfordMuse,Ialsoorganised'ConversationMeals':dinerssitinpairswithastrangerandaregivenaMenuofConversationtoguidetheirdiscussion,containingquestionsonmanyaspectsoflifesuchas'Whatarethelimitsofyourcompassion'or'Inwhatwaysdoyouwishtobecomemorecourageous'Theresultsareremarkable:bysharingtheirmostimportantthoughts,beliefs,hopesandexperiences,participantsnotonlylearnaboutothers,butarestimulatedtohavefreshideasanddiscovernewthingsaboutthemselves.
Themealsaretheoppositeofspeed-dating,withpeopletalkingtoeachotherfortwohoursratherthantwominutes.
Therearealmostnoreportsofconversationpartnersbecomeboredwitheachotherorendingupinaheatedargument.
Thesemealsplayedadecisiveroleinhelpingmeovercomeperhapsmygreatestprejudice,whichisthedisdainIhavehadforpeoplewhoareverywealthy.
Formanyyears,especiallyinmylateteensandtwenties,whenImetsomeonewhowasfromawealthybackgroundorhadanupperclassaccent,IimmediatelyassumedthatIwouldnotlikethem,thattheywereasnob,thattheylackedcompassion.
MystrugglestoovercomethisresponsebeganthroughdoingextensiveinterviewswithrichGuatemalanplantationownersformydoctoralthesis:someofthemIcametolike,eventhosewhohadsupportedthebrutalmilitaryregimeinthe1970sand1980s.
TheConversationMealsatTheOxfordMusechallengedmefurther.
ThroughthemI28tookpartinmanyhighlypersonaldialogueswithpeoplefromdifferentclasses,occupationsandcultures-includingwealthybusinesspeopleandrichheiresses.
Thisexperiencemademetrulyunderstand-inrealityratherthanjusttheory-thatitisnotalwayseasytoberich,fortherichsufferjustaseveryoneelsefromloneliness,fear,anxiety,lackofself-confidence,unrequitedloveandotherproblemsoflife.
NotallofusmeetsomeonelikeAlanHumaneverydayorhavetheopportunitytoattendConversationMeals.
Sowhatmorecanwealldotoempathisewithpeoplewhowemightordinarilyignoreorpassby,orthosewhoseinnerlivesandthoughtsremainotherwisehiddenfromusIthinkthemostimportantapproachistoweanourselvesoffsuperficialtalkandengageinrealconversationswherewetakeoffourmasksandsaywhowereallyare.
Ihavefoundthatthemostsatisfyingconversationsareamutualexchangetakingplaceonaone-to-onebasis,wherethereisplentyoftimetoexplore,butsmallgroupdiscussionscanalsobeinspiring.
Talkingwithothersshouldbecomeaformofadventure.
ButhowAthome:YoumightwishtoinventyourownversionofConversationMeals.
Whenpeoplecometomyhomefordinner,theyareoftenpresentedwithasmallbowlcontainingcutoutsofheadlinesfromthelocalnewspaper,whichweeachpickoutatrandom.
Ratherthanusingcuttingssuchas'MotorwayRepairsPlanned'wechoosemoreinterestingoneslike'UnexpectedTriumph'or'HiddenAgendas'.
Wethen,inturn,useourheadlineasaconversationalopening,sayingsomethingabouthowitrelatestoanaspectofourlifeorfutureplans.
Itmeansthatwedon'talwaysenduptalkingaboutworkandhouseprices.
Usuallytheconversationstakeunexpecteddirections,withtheunveilingofbeautifulmemories,thegentlerevelationoffearsandanxieties,andthediscoveryofsharedemotionsorhopesthatdrawusalltogether.
29Atwork:Themostnoisyandbuzzingofficeenvironmentisenvelopedbyahugesilence,whichistheunspokenemotionsandpersonallivesofthepeoplewhoworkthere.
Mostofussuppresswhowearewhileatwork,hidingbehindourjobtitleandfearingthatrevealingourinnerselveswillbeconsideredasignofweaknessorsubjectustounwantedridiculeorattention.
Talkingopenlytoaworkcolleague-orevenyourboss-mightmakeyoufeelvulnerable,butonceyoutellthemaboutyourunhappiness,lonelinessordreams,andinvitetheirresponseandexperiences,youarelikelytofindnotonlythattheyareunderstandingbutthattheyhavefacedsimilarproblemsordilemmasthemselves.
Atthesametime,youmightlearnthatyouwerewrongaboutthereasonwhytheyaresometimesaggressivetowardsyouinmeetingsandthattheydonotignoreyouremailsonpurpose.
Onthestreet:Anintrepidconversationaladventurerwilltaketheirconversationalcourageintothestreets.
Trysharingmoreofyourlifewithyourlocalnewsagent,trafficwardenorstreetsweeper,andaskingthemabouttheirs.
Insteadof'Howareyou'inventmoreinterestinggreetingssuchas'Whathaveyoubeenthinkingaboutthismorning'or'Whatwasthemostsurprisingthingthathappenedtoyoulastweek'Theenthusiasticresponsesandwarmthyoureceivewillhelpovercomeanyembarrassmentyoufeelaboutaskingsuchunusualquestions.
Andifanybodyasksyou,'Howareyou'insteadofsaying'fine'or'notbad'youcouldsurprisethembygivingtherealanswer.
Asaresultofyourmutualexchangeyoumayhaveresolvedoneofthegreatdifficultiesweallface:thefeelingofbeingalonewithourownsuffering.
Andyoumayevenhavefoundanewfriend.
30EmpathythroughexperienceInaround1206,thetwenty-threeyearoldsonofawealthymerchantwentonapilgrimagetotheBasilicaofStPeter'sinRome.
Hecouldnothelpnoticingthecontrastbetweentheopulenceandlavishnesswithinthebasilica,andthepovertyofthebeggarssittingoutsideitsdoors.
Hepersuadedabeggartoexchangeclotheswithhimandspenttherestofthedayinragsaskingforalms.
Notlongafter,whenhewasoutridingnearhishometown,hemetaleper.
Lepersweretheoutcastsofmedievalsociety,andwerebothshunnedanddespised.
Manywerehideouslydeformedandcrippled,withmissingnosesandbleedingsores.
Theywereforbiddentoentertownsandtodrinkfromwellsorsprings.
Nobodywouldtouchthemforfearofcontractingtheirdreadeddisease.
Buttheyoungmanforcedhimselftostiflehisimmediatefeelingofrevulsionoflepers,whichhehadharbouredsincechildhood.
Hedismountedhishorse,gavetheleperacoinandkissedhishand.
Theleperkissedhiminreturn.
Thisepisodewasaturningpointintheman'slife.
Hesoonfoundedanewreligiousorderwhosebrothersworkedintheleperhousesandwhogaveuptheirworldlygoodstoliveandpreachinpoverty.
StFrancisofAssisiisrememberedfordeclaring,'Grantmethetreasureofsublimepoverty:permitthedistinctivesignofourordertobethatitdoesnotpossessanythingofitsownbeneaththesun,forthegloryofyourname,andthatithavenootherpatrimonythanbegging.
'LikeStFrancis,MahatmaGandhiwasoneofthegreatempathisersofhumanhistory.
Hetoohadanencounterwithaleper,whocametohisdoorwhenhewaslivinginSouthAfrica.
Asherecountsinhisautobiography:'Ihadnotthehearttodismisshimwithameal.
SoIofferedhimshelter,dressedhiswounds,andbegantolookafterhim.
'NotlongafterwardsGandhibeganhelpingtwohoursadayasanurseinalocal31hospital,whilestillworkingasabarrister.
Later,duringtheBoerWar,heagainvolunteeredasanurse,tendingsickandwoundedsoldiers.
GandhireturnedtoIndiaandin1912establishedtheTolstoyFarmwhere,similartotheFranciscanOrder,'ourambitionwastolivethelifeofthepoorestpeople'.
Partofthisexperimentinpovertyandempathywasforeachmemberoftheashramtohelpcleanthetoilets,ataskthatwasnormallyonlyundertakenbylowcasteUntouchables.
ForGandhi,havingtheexperiencesofthepoorestandmostoutcastmembersofsocietywasnotonlyamoralimperativebutalsoawayoflifefromwhichhedrewstrengthandinspiration.
GeorgeOrwell,bestknownforhisdystopiannovel1984,isathirdimportantfigureinthehistoryofempathy.
Inthelate1920s,agedtwenty-five,hedefiedhisownprivilegedbackground(hehadgonetoschoolatEton)byworkingfirstasakitchenhandinaParisianhotel,andthenlivingasatrampinLondon,attemptingtosurviveonthestreets.
AttheendofDownandOutinParisandLondonheadmitsthathehasonlyseen'thefringeofpoverty'buthecanstill'pointtooneortwothingsIhavedefinitelylearnedbybeinghardup':'Ishallneveragainthinkthatalltrampsaredrunkenscoundrels,norexpecta32beggartobegratefulwhenIgivehimapenny,norbesurprisedifmenoutofworklackenergy,norsubscribetotheSalvationArmy,norpawnmyclothes,norrefuseahandbill,norenjoyamealinasmartrestaurant.
Thatisabeginning.
'FewofusarelikelytobecomeFranciscanmonksormovetoaGandhianashraminIndia.
Butitmaybepossible,likeGeorgeOrwell,toconductsometemporaryexperimentsinlivingthelifeofothers.
OneofmyownrecentexperimentswaswhenIworkedforseveralmonthsasapart-timegardenassistantatanOxfordcollege.
ThiswasinterestingnotsimplybecauseIdevelopedamuchcloserrelationshipwithnature.
Ialsofoundoutwhatitwaslikenottobevaluedasahumanbeing.
Liketheotherassistants,Iwaspaidaroundsevenpoundsanhour.
Thisstruckmeaspitifullylow,especiallygiventhatweallhadprofessionalhorticulturalqualifications.
Additionally,itseemedthattheacademicsandstudentstookalmostnonoticeofus.
ItwasastonishinghowoftenpeoplewouldsimplywalkpastasIwasweedingonmyhandsandkneeswithoutsayinghello,anditwaswonderfulontherareoccasionswhensomebodystoppedtocommentonhowlovelythegardenwaslooking.
(Itis,inmyview,oneofthemostbeautiful,originalandartisticgardensinthecity,largelythankstothevisionoftheHeadGardener.
)Finally,althoughwewereprovidedwithafreelunch,wewerenotallowedtositatthesametableastheacademicstaff.
Inthedininghalltheysatonanelevatedplatform,knownasHighTable,whereasthegardenersandclericalstaffsatattheirowntablelowerdown,withthestudentsseatedseparately.
Porters,cleanersandmaintenancestaffwerenotevenpermittedtoattendthemainlunchsitting,andhadtocomeearlierandweregiveninferiorfood.
Inoticedonlyoneprofessorwhowouldregularlybreakranksandjoinourtable;hewasclearlyuncomfortablewiththisridiculoushierarchicaldistinction.
IimaginethatfewoftheacademicsrealisedthatnotonlyhadIbeenastudentatOxford,IhadalsoworkedasauniversitylecturerandoftendinedatOxbridgeHighTables.
Formostof33themIwasonlyagardener.
Notsomeonetheydespised.
Justsomeonetheyignored.
WhatdidIlearnfromtheseexperiencesApartfromthemgivingmeevidencethatOxfordcollegesremainbastionsoffeudalism,themainthingIdiscovered,veryclearly,washowmuchIneedrespect.
Thepoorwageswerenotthemainproblem.
ItwasthatIdidnotfeelthattheacademicsandstudentsmademuchefforttoacknowledgeusashumanbeings,ortotakeinterestinourwork.
Theyrarelydemonstratedrespectforthegardeners.
AlthoughIamnotthekindofpersonwhogoesoutoftheirwaytoseekrecognitionorapprovalfromothers,IfoundthatthelackofrespectdiminishedmeinaverysubtlewaythatIhadnotexpected.
Myself-respectslowlybegantodissolveandIfeltacreepingsenseofapathyandworthlessness.
Pursuingthepathofempathythroughexperienceisoneofthemostdifficultchallengesoftheartofliving.
Itcantaketime,effortandsacrificetodososeriously,andisgenerallymoredemandingthanthepathwaysoflearningorconversation.
Thegreatvirtueisthatexperienceissotangible:whatyoudowillbeetchedonyourbodyforever.
Somepeoplededicatetheirlivestoit;mostofuswillnot.
Buttheremaybeparticulargroupsofpeopleorindividualswhoselivesyoufeelyoucouldorshouldexperienceinsomeway,perhapsforashortperiod.
Theyarelikelytofallintofivemaingroups,basedondependency,deprivation,criticism,allegianceandignorance.
Dependency:Youmaychoosetoexperiencethelivesofpeoplewhoyoudependuponinsomeway.
Ifyouworkinanoffice,youmightdecidetovolunteerasacleaneronemorningamonthasawayofempathisingwiththosewhoarecleaningthecarpetsortoiletsonyourbehalfandprobablyforaverylowwage.
MygardeningsojournwaspartlyanattempttodiscoverthedailylivesofthosewhoareresponsibleforcreatingtheOxfordcollegegardenswhosebeautyIhaveenjoyedforso34manyyears.
Ihopemynextadventurewillbetoworkorvolunteerasacareassistantinanoldpeople'shome,foronedayIwillbeamongsttheelderlyandrequirehelpfromthecarers.
Deprivation:Somepeoplefeelastrongmoralimperativetofindoutmoreaboutwhatitisliketoliveonthesocialmargins,tobedeprivedinawaythattheymayneverhaveexperiencedforthemselves.
LikeStFrancis,youcould,forinstance,trybeggingonthestreetsforaday,andseewhetheryoucanmaintainyourself-respectanddignityduringtheprocess.
Oryoucouldforceyourselftoliveoff59.
15perweekforamonth,whichisthelevelofunemploymentbenefit(JobSeeker'sAllowance)forasingleadultintheUK.
Alternativelyyoucouldembarkona'deprivationholiday':sometravelagenciesandeducationfoundationsofferpackageswhereyoucanworkinadevelopingcountrypickingcoffeeorteachingEnglishinaremoteruralprimaryschool(usuallyasavolunteer).
Criticism:ThereisaNativeAmericanproverbwhichsays,'Walkamileinanotherman'smoccasinsbeforeyoucriticisehim.
'Ifyoufindyourselfbeingextremelycriticalofcertainpeople,couldyoudiscoverawayofwearingtheirmoccasinsforawhileYoumay,asaresult,findyourselfliberatedfromyournegativeopinion.
Ifyouthinktheguysinthepostroomatworkareincrediblyslowandinefficient,whynotspendafewlunchtimeshelpingthemoutIonceworkedforseveralmonthsasacarpenterandbuilder.
NeveragainwillIcomplainabouttradespeopletakinglotsofteabreaks:withoutregularbreaksyouareindangerofbecomingphysicallyexhausted,losingconcentrationandmakingmistakes.
35Allegiance:Weallhaveallegiances,whetheritbetofootballteams,religions,nationsorothercommunities.
Theseallegiancesareoftenasourceofprejudiceanditcanbeahealthyexercisetochallengethem.
Thenexttimeyouareatafootballmatchagainstyourarchenemy,youcouldsitamongsttheirsupportersandseewhethertheyreallydeservetheabusethatisusuallyhurledatthem.
Afriendofmineusedtoattendreligiousservicesfromadifferentfaitheveryweektohelpcounterandbroadenherownbeliefs.
IstoppedcelebratingtheAustraliaDayholidayonceIrealisedthatIwasinfactcommemoratingtheinvasionofacountrybyacolonialpowerandthedecimationofitsindigenousinhabitants.
Iwouldlikeallofustolearneachother'snationaldancesandtocookeachother'snationaldishes.
Ignorance:Youmaysimplyfeelignorantaboutdifferentwaysoflivingorbeing,andwishtobroadenyourexperienceoflife.
YoucouldfollowthepathofsomeoneIknowwhowastiredofsittinginfrontofacomputeralldayandindulgedherdesiretotrymanualworkbytakinganeveningcourseinplumbing.
Shelikeditsomuchsheleftherofficejobtobecomeafull-timeplumberandheatingengineer;sheparticularlylovesthefreedomofhernewcareerandtheopportunitytomeetpeoplefromdifferentculturesandbackgrounds.
Perhapsyouhaveafriendwhoisblindandyouwanttounderstandmoreaboutwhatitisliketobehim.
Couldyouaskhimtotakeyouonapersonaltourofhisfavouritecityorartgallery,withyouwearingablindfoldfortheday36MassempathyandsocialchangeWeusuallythinkofempathisingassomethingthathappensatthelevelofindividualrelationships:Icometoseetheworldfromyourperspectiveandmay,asaresult,starttotreatyoudifferentlyorrelatetootherpeopleinnewways.
Butsometimesitcanbecomeamassphenomenonthatbringsaboutlarge-scalesocialchange.
Manyofthemostimportantshiftsinhistoryhavetakenplacenotwhentherehasbeenachangeingovernments,lawsoreconomicsystems,whentherehasbeenachangeinthesocialfabricofempathy.
Thatis,whensignificantnumbersofindividualssharenewlearning,conversationsorexperiencesthataltertheirunderstandingofparticulargroupsofpeople,andwhichprovokeamajorpracticalresponse.
Althoughyoumaythinkthisisasubjectforhistorians,itisalsoofrelevancetotheartofliving.
Thisisbecauseparticipationinsuchempatheticmassmovementsisawayofhelpingyouescapefromyourownisolationandmakingyoufeelthatyouractionsarecontributingtoagreatergood.
Itprovidesthekindofmeaningwhichisessentialforlivingajoyfulandfulfilledlife.
Hereisnottheplace,however,fordetailedanalysisofhowempathyhaschangedhumanhistory.
Iwishtogiveonlyasingleexampletohelpyouunderstandthatsteppingintosomeoneelse'sshoescanbearadicalactbringingextraordinarybenefitstothelivesofothers.
TheBritishstruggleagainstslaveryandtheslavetradeThroughouthistorypeoplehaveboughtandsoldhumanbeings,treatingthemasobjectsofprivateproperty.
Britainwasoneofthecountriesmostresponsibleforthehorrorsofslaverywhenitwasatitsheightintheeighteenthcentury.
Inthe1780saroundhalfamillionAfricanslaveswerebeingsystematicallyworkedtodeathonsugarplantationsinBritishcoloniesintheWestIndies,andBritainwasthedominantforceintheinternationalslave37trade.
Afteraprotractedperiodofsocialstrugglebeginningaround1787,theslavetradewasfinallyabolishedin1807andslaveryitselfendedintheBritishEmpirein1838(althoughitstillcontinuestodayincountriessuchasBrazil,IndiaandChina).
Therearedifferentinterpretationsofhowandwhythischangetookplace.
ThetraditionalviewwasthattheactionsoftheBritishparliamentarianWilliamWilberforcewerethemostsignificantfactorinbringinganendtoslavery.
Moremodernanalysisemphasisestherevoltsbyslavesthemselves,andtheroleoftheAnglicandeaconThomasClarksonandagroupofhighlyactiveQuakerswhospearheadedthemassmovementagainstslavery.
Theseexplanationsfailtorecognisethecrucialroleofempathy.
AccordingtothehistorianAdamHochschildinhisbookBuryTheChains:TheBritishStruggletoAbolishSlavery,thecampaignagainstslaveryreliedupona'suddenupwelling'ofhumanempathyamongtheBritishpublic,remarkableforthefactthat'itwasthefirsttimealargenumberofpeoplebecameoutraged,andstayedoutragedformanyyears,oversomeoneelse'srights'.
Butwhatexplainsthissuddenupwelling,andwhydidn'tthisresponseariseinotherEuropeancountriesHochschildarguesthattherewassomethingthatsetBritainapart:'Peoplearemorelikelytocareaboutthesufferingofothersinadistantplaceifthatmisfortuneevokesafearoftheirown.
Andlate-eighteenthcenturyBritonswereinthemidstofawidespreadfirsthandexperiencewithakindofkidnappingandenslavementthatstoodindramaticcontradictiontoeverythingaboutcitizens'rightsenshrinedinBritishlaw.
Itwasarbitrary,violent,andsometimesfatal…Itwasthepracticeofnavalimpressment.
'Sincethe1600stheRoyalNavyhad'pressed'tensofthousandsofseamenintoservice.
ThisinvolvedpressgangsofarmedsailorspatrollingaroundBritishportsandfurtherinland,forciblytakinganysturdymentheycouldfind.
Pressvictims,whowereoften-althoughnotexclusively-fromtheworking38class,couldfindthemselveseffectivelyenslavedforseveralyears.
Campaignersagainsttheslavetradedrewdirectparallelswiththepracticeofimpressment:theBritishpublichadanunderstanding,oftenfrompersonalorfamilyexperience,ofwhatitmeanttobeenslaved.
Hencetheycouldclearlyseethecruelinjusticeofslaveryonthesugarplantations.
Overacenturyofsocialstruggleagainstimpressment,writesHochschild,'psychologicallysetthenationalstageforthemuchlargerbattleoverslavery'.
Apressgangatwork,around1780Empathyplayedaroleintheanti-slaverymovementinotherways.
Britishfactoryworkerssawsimilaritiesbetweentheirownexploitationandthatoftheslaves,withsomemarchingunderbannerscallingforendingslavery'bothathomeandabroad'.
Anti-slaveryideasalsospreadrapidlyinIreland,wheretherewasasharedunderstandingofwhatitfeltliketobeoppressedbytheBritish.
AformerslavenamedOlaudahEquianowroteabestsellingautobiographyandtouredthecountryfromthelate1780s,speakingtothousandsofpeopleabouthisexperience,andgivingahumanfaceandpersonalstorytothosewhohadbeenenslaved.
ThomasClarksonandhiscolleaguescompiledadocument,AbstractoftheEvidence,containingfirst-handaccountsofslaverythatbothshockedandeducatedthepublicandparliamentarians.
Thecampaignersbelievedinthecapacityof39peopletocareaboutthesufferingofothersandthoughtthatexposingthemtotherealitiesofslaverywouldprovokethemtotakeactionagainstit.
ThusHochschildconcludesthatthesuccessoftheanti-slaverymovementwasbasedonthefactthat,'Theabolitionistsplacedtheirhopenotinsacredtexts,butinhumanempathy.
'Thisisonlyoneofmanyexamplesinwhichempathyhasleftitstraceonhistory.
AnothergrewoutoftheevacuationofoveramillionBritishchildrenfromurbanareastothecountrysideduringtheSecondWorldWar.
Forthefirsttimerelativelywell-offruralpeoplediscoveredtherealitiesoflifeinthecityslums,becausemostofthechildrentheywerechargedtolookafterwereclearlydeprived:theyweremalnourished,theysufferedfromricketsandlice,theylackedshoes.
Theresultwasasurgeofempathywhichledtonewpublichealth,nutritionalandeducationprovisionsforchildren.
Thesechangesthemselvesacceleratedthedevelopmentofthewelfarestatebothduringandafterthewar.
AfurtherinstanceistheimpactofNicaragua'smassliteracycampaignintheearly1980s.
AspartofthenewSandinistagovernment'srevolutionarypolicies,almost100,000youngpeoplefromthecities(mostlystudentvolunteers)hadtheirfirstmajorencounterwiththeacutepovertyofthecountrysidethroughworkingasliteracyteachers.
Theylivedandatewithpeasantfamilies,gottoknowchildrenandoldpeople,anddiscoveredwhatitwasliketostruggleasanagriculturalworker.
Theseencounterswiththesocio-economicandculturalrealitiesoftheirowncountryaffectedthepoliticalandempatheticconsciousnessofanentiregeneration,andcontributedtothegrowthofvibrantandradicalsocialmovementsinNicaraguathroughoutthe1980sand1990s.
Wavesofmassempathyarealsopartofthemorerecentpast,suchasthepublicreactioninEuropetotheAsiantsunamiinlate2004,inwhichover230,000peoplewerekilled.
Therewasanunprecedentedhumanitarianresponseintermsof40individualdonations,farabovewhatwouldnormallybeexpectedafteranaturaldisasterinadistantcountry.
Theextentoftheresponsecanbeexplainednotonlybythescaleofthedisaster,butbyempathy.
First,thetsunamitookplacejustafterChristmas,aperiodthatEuropeanstraditionallyassociatewithgivingandcompassionforthesufferingofothers(eveniftheircelebrationsareafestivalofconsumptionandexcess).
Second,thereweremanyWesternvictimswhowereholidayingatthetimeincountriessuchasThailandandSriLanka.
TensofthousandsofEuropeansweresendingtextmessagestocheckiffriendsorrelativesabroadhadbeenkilledorinjured.
Andeveniftheirlovedonesweresafe,peoplecouldeasilyenvisionhowoneoftheirclosefriendsorchildrentravellingaroundAsiaonagapyearmighthavelosttheirlives.
Third,extensivevideofootagefrommobilephonesandcamcordersbelongingtovictimsandsurvivorsthatwasairedintheinternationalmediamadeiteasiertounderstandthefrighteningrealityoftheoncomingwave.
ThesefactorshelpedsparktheempatheticimaginationsofEuropeans,leadingtothehighlevelsofdonationsandotherformsofpublicassistance.
41PhotosandvideofootagefrommobilephonesandcamcorderscontributedtotheempatheticresponseofEuropeanstotheAsiantsunami,asdidimagesofWesternchildren.
Socialchangehappensinmanyways,fromarmedstruggletoparliamentaryreform,fromcivildisobediencetotheinventionofnewtechnologies.
Butweshouldnotforgettheroleandpowerofempathy.
Atparticularmomentshistoryopensupandprovidesanopportunityforarevolutioninhumanrelationships,inwhichweovercomethedistancebetweeneachotheranddevelopnewformsofmutualunderstanding,amicrocosmicformofchangethatcanknitourdislocatedworldtogether.
Formanypeople,whenthesemomentsarise,theywillnotbeabletohelpthemselvesfrombecomingparticipants;theywillfeelaninnercompulsiontoact.
Ifwearetolivewell,andtofeelpartofagreaterwhole,wemustalllookoutfortheseopenings,andeventrytocreatethem,sowecaneachtakepartincreatingthehistoryofempathy.
42TheempathyexhibitionDevelopingempathyisthegreatartformoftheageofoutrospection,andonewhichwecanallpractice.
Youmaychoosetofollowdifferentpathways-learning,conversationorexperience-butallofthemwillleadyoutoanewvisionoftheartofliving.
Yourencounterswiththeworldviewsofotherswillgiveyounewperspectivesonyourownlife.
Perhapsyourpersonalproblemswillnolongerseemsooverwhelmingoryouwillbeinspiredtopursueanewcareer.
Youmayfindthatyouovercomesomeprejudicesalongthewayandcontributetoawiderprocessofsocialchange.
Whateverhappens,bymakingtheimaginativeleapintothelivesofothers,youwillbetakingpartinthequietrevolutionofhumanrelationships.
TheBritishShakespeareanactressHarrietWalterhaswrittenthatactors'arethecustodiansofanotherperson'sthoughts,andmustlocatethemandreproducethemasfaithfullyaspossible.
Thishasnothingtodowithinterpretationorimitation.
Accentsandmannerismsarenotthepoint.
Theexerciseistoquietenourownegoandletanotherpersonspeak.
'Thisapproachtoactingmirrorstheimaginativeactofempathisingwhereweattempttoputourselvesintheshoesofanother,andallowtheirthoughtsandexperiencestobecomepartofusandguideus.
Itiscommoninactingformentoplaywomen,richtoplaypoor,blackstoplaywhites;wemustbecomeasversatileandconvincingasthefinestactors.
Aswithanyactor,ourownpersonalitywillgetinthewayofthepartwewanttoplay,butwithpracticethelifeofanothercanflowthroughus,andstarttoshapenotonlyourbodilymovements,butalsoourthoughts,emotionsandhowwerelatewithothersonourpersonalstage.
Byfollowingthethreeempathypathwaysoflearning,conversationandexperiencewecanenlargeourrepertoireofroles,developourstagepresence,andmakethedramaofourlivesmoreinterestingandpurposeful.
43Gandhi'stalismancanbethoughtaboutasakindofroleplayinwhichyouimagineyourselfintothelifeof'thepoorestandweakestmanwhoyoumayhaveseen'.
Butevenherealisedthatwemustplaymanyroles.
Inthe1940s,inthefaceofgrowingtensionsbetweenMuslimsandHindusintheleaduptoIndianindependence,hedeclaredtohissupporters,'IamaMuslim,IamaHindu,IamaChristian,IamJew-andsoareallofyou.
'Heunderstoodthatwithoutempathywearecondemningourselvestoaworldofconflictandintolerance.
Ourcultureisonewhichgenerallyreservesitsgreatestpraiseforthosewhoareconsideredbeautiful,whoarefineathletes,whohaveearnedgreatfortunes,whohavesuccessfullyclimbedtheladdersofpowerandsuccess.
Iwouldlikesocietytochangeitsfocus,andtobestowmoreofitspraiseonthosewhoareengagedinthestruggletounderstandtheperspectivesofstrangers,toovercometheirprejudices,tochallengetheassumptionstheyhaveaboutpeople.
PerhapsthosewhohavedonemosttochangetheirworldviewscouldbeawardedaNobelPrizeforEmpathy.
Ialsohaveanambitiontocreateanewkindofgalleryforlookingattheworldthroughtheeyesofothers.
Therewouldbeseveralroomsinthisgalleryofhumanrelationships:Room1:AllTheWorld'sAStageProfessionalactorswouldinvolveyouindramaticroleplays,improvisationsandotheractingexercisestohelpyoudiscoverthesecretsofsteppingintothemoccasinsofanotherperson.
Room2:EmpatheticAdventurersThiswouldhouseexhibitsandshowfilmsonthelivesofinspirationalempatheticadventurerssuchasStFrancisofAssissi,MahatmaGandhi,FlorenceNightingale,AlbertSchweitzer,MotherTeresaandNelsonMandela.
Room3:Cut-Make-Trim44Thisroomwouldcontaintwentysewingmachinesandateamofformersweatshopfactoryworkerswhowouldteachyouhowtomakeashirtundertheworkingconditionsofyourfavouritehighstreetlabel.
Room4:DressingUpBoxHereyouwouldfindclothesyoucandressupintoexperiencelivesyouhavenevertried.
Therewouldbeappropriateattiresoyoucouldgoandbegforanhouratthegalleryentranceorhelpsweepandmopthegalleryfloorsandtoilets.
Room5:ConversationExchangeThisroomwouldhaveconversationboothswhereyoucouldtalktopeoplelikeAlanHumanorothervisitorsabouthope,friendship,loveandcuriosity.
Therewouldalsobeliveinternetphonelinkstoteenagersinwar-torncountriesorregionsbeingaffectedbyclimatechange-induceddroughtsorflooding,whoyoucouldspeakwithabouttheirexperiencesandsharesomeofyourown.
Room6:HiddenVoicesHereyoucouldlistentooralrecordingsofpeoplefrommanywalksoflifeandmomentsinhistory,suchasformerslavesfromtheAmericanSouth,richbankersfromNewYorkandTokyo,teachersfromtheNicaraguanliteracycampaign,asylumseekersandprisonersondeathrow.
Room7:DreamingCentreJustbeforeyoureachtheexittherewouldbeaDreamingCentreinwhichyousitbackandcontemplatehowyourencountersandexperiencesatthegallerymightchangewhatyoudowhenyouwakeupthefollowingmorning.
Ihopethatyouwouldliketovisit.
4546FurtherreadingonempathyAdamHochschildBurytheChains:TheBritishStruggletoAbolishSlaveryAlfieKohnTheBrighterSideofHumanNature:AltruismandEmpathyinEverydayLifeBertholdBrecht'AWorkerReadsHistory'inPoems1913-1956ColinWardTheChildintheCityEdmundO.
WilsonBiophilia:TheHumanBondwithOtherSpeciesGeorgeOrwellDownandOutinParisandLondonand'DowntheMine'inInsidetheWhaleandOtherEssaysHarrietWalterOtherPeople'sShoes:ThoughtsonActingMahatmaGandhiAnAutobiographyorTheStoryofMyExperimentswithTruthMartinBuberIandThouand'DistanceandRelation'inTheKnowledgeofManRigobertaMenchúI,RigobertaMenchú:AnIndianWomaninGuatemalaPhilipL.
Jackson,EricBrunet,AndrewN.
MeltzoffandJeanDecety'EmpathyexaminedthroughtheneuralmechanismsinvolvedinimagininghowIfeelversushowyoufeelpain',Neuropsychologia(2005)TzvetanTodorovTheFragilityofGoodness:WhyBulgaria'sJewsSurvivedtheHolocaustUrsulaLeGuin'VasterthanEmpiresandMoreSlow'and'TheOnesWhoWalkAwayfromOmelas'inTheWind'sTwelveQuartersTheodoreZeldinConversationandAnIntimateHistoryofHumanityWebsitesonempathyNationalLifeStoryCollectionoralhistorysoundarchiveattheBritishLibrary,www.
bl.
uk/collections/sound-archive/nlsc.
html47PeaceMakersvideogamebasedondevelopingempathytoresolvetheIsraeli-Palestineconflict,www.
peacemakergame.
comRootsofEmpathyschoolprojectinCanada,www.
rootsofempathy.
orgTheOxfordMusePortraitGallery,www.
oxfordmuse.
com/selfportrait/portraits.
htm2007RomanKrznaric