The Compassionate Brain: How Empathy Creates Intelligence

A kind of users manual for the human brain, neurobiologist Huther's work explains in straightforward terms how the brain works, how our environment and behavior affect its development, and recommendations for the most effective ways to encourage our brains (and our children's) to operate at the highest possible levels. Beginning with the scientific basics of brain function, Huther's discussion ranges from the history of European philosophy (especially Plato, Kant and Heidegger) to current trends encouraged by the mass media. Especially striking are the final sections of the book, which begin with a quote from seventeenth-century Jesuit writer Baltasar Gracian, whose theological investigations of human conduct reach the same conclusions as Huther's laboratory research: humans must encourage all actions and mental habits that engender feelings of deep personal concern (empathy) and reject those that do not. Although the discussion avoids moralizing, Huther's conclusions border at times on the apocalyptic, with visions of a human race trained by TV, advertising, video games and consumerism to content themselves with material comfort and overstimulation, to the point that they become nearly incapable of survival. Huther is an engaging writer, however, and this concise, elegant work will appeal to a great many readers, from those interested in neuroscience and psychology to those interested in philosophy, religion, and history.