44. Is Empathy in Fact Immoral?

In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner delve into the complexities of empathy, questioning its assumed role as an unequivocal force for good. Drawing from research by Daniel Batson and insights from Paul Bloom's book "Against Empathy," they explore how empathy can lead to biased decisions and tribalistic behavior, potentially undermining justice and fairness. They discuss the evolutionary roots of altruism and the tension between empathy-driven actions and utilitarian approaches to resource allocation. The conversation further explores the concept of "deep pragmatism" as a framework for maximizing overall happiness impartially. Later in the episode, they shift gears to discuss the merits of being goal-oriented versus embracing serendipity, touching on personality types and the human desire for self-understanding through categorization.