The Compassionate Instinct: The Science of Human Goodness

by Dacher Keltner, Jason Marsh (Editor), Jeremy Adam Smith (Editor)

Leading scientists and science writers reflect on the life-changing, perspective-changing, new science of human goodness. Where once science painted humans as self-seeking and warlike, today scientists of many disciplines are uncovering the deep roots of human goodness. At the forefront of this revolution in scientific understanding is the Greater Good Science Center, based at the University of California, Berkeley. The center fuses its cutting-edge research with inspiring stories of compassion in action in Greater Good magazine. The best of these writings are collected here, and contributions from Steven Pinker, Robert Sapolsky, Paul Ekman, Michael Pollan, and the Dalai Lama, among others, will make you think not only about what it means to be happy and fulfilled but also what it means to lead an ethical and compassionate life. 25 illustrations

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Science, Sociology, Philosophy, Essays, Self Help

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2010

About the author

Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, director of the Greater Good Science Center, and coeditor of Greater Good magazine. His research focuses on pro-social emotions, power, and moral reasoning."

Reviews

[Tuscany Bernier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m curious how much more research they’ve been able to pull together since this anthology was put together.

I found this book to be…okay-ish? It didn’t need to be as long as it was at all, and it also didn’t go into research as much I really wanted it to for the size it is. Honestly, it wasn’t that great but it wasn’t bad per say. Just big time meh?

I hope they do a follow-up of some sort or something.

[Volkan Unsal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel very lucky to be exposed to the ideas I found in this book. It's nothing less than a scientific examination of altruism, heroism and human virtue. None of the ideas are new –– if you've read The Lord of the Rings, you know them by heart already –– but what is new is the authors' exacting search for the scientific basis of these behaviors. In doing so, the authors form coherent arguments to contradict many of the cynical assumptions about the human nature, from the effectiveness of Machiavellism to the pervasiveness of the bystander effect, and renew one's hope in humanity.

Do yourself a favor and pick it up for someone you love. It's probably the best book of essays I read this year.

[Andrea Darby-stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Variable quality of essays on compassion and empathy. I really appreciated the last essay on how to teach heroism so that people are primed to do the right thing when confronted with a difficult or dangerous situation, and the risks we take when we water down the formal definition of a hero.

[Patti Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting research into the psychology of what makes humans act in empathetic or compassionate ways; or not. Good examples and stories. Definitely outdated. I would love to see this book updated with information on how technology has changed how we behave.

[Alberto Tebaldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a heartening good insight into the psychology of human goodness.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just saw some of this being placed in here, without much merit. But otherwise plenty of solid material.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been almost exactly four years since I read this book, and while I have reviewed several books recently that I first read several years in the past, this is the first one that I have decided to review without rereading it, based solely on my memory of it. Specifically, I wanted to comment on an essay from this book called “The Banality of Heroism.” In it, the authors, Zeno Franco and Philip Zimbardo, speak about why it is when crisis strikes some people bring calm and purpose to the catastrophe, and others stand impotently on the sidelines. Essentially, they found that the former group was habitually heroic, and they intervened because that was simply who they were, and they had built up a history of doing something heroic. This can be discouraging for some people because you can think, “Well, I’m just not a heroic person and that’s all there is to it.” I think that is the wrong message to take away from such an essay. Taken in the right light, it’s actually quite encouraging. It shows that heroism is a habit that you can cultivate in yourself a little bit at a time. There are many things that we wish were in our power to do that aren’t but that doesn’t mean that we can’t constantly test the boundaries of our capabilities, and do the most heroic thing that is actually within our power to do and see where it gets us. There are people who think the answer to solve all of life’s problems is to just zap people full of good vibes and everything will go away. These people are delusional and are often due for a rude awakening at some point not far into the future. However, it always upsets me when I see people who see goodness as a task that is difficult but doable mistaken for Pollyanna’s. This book is not the most rigorous or the most insightful book that there is on its chosen subject, but a little of its non-naïve optimism is always needed, now perhaps more than ever.

Final Score: 7.8/10

[Shel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of 35 scholarly essays from Greater Good Magazine, greatergoodmag.org, a product of the Greater Good Science Center, at the University of Berkeley a "...research center devoted to the scientific understanding of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior."

Part One: The Scientific Roots of Human Goodness
The good news:
• Science says it's in the nature of humans to be kind.
• We can learn to respond in more compassionate ways.
Notable: "Hope on the Battlefield" by David Grossman - humans have an innate aversion to killing

Part Two: How to Cultivate Goodness in Relationships with Friends, Family, Coworkers, and Neighbors
Notable: "A Feeling for Fiction" by Keith Oatley - reading fiction can help develop the art of empathy

Part Three: How to Cultivate Goodness in Society and Politics
Notable: "Why is There Peace?" by Steven Pinker — society is becoming more peaceful and humane over time
See Pinker's The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined (2011)

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I learned and was inspired by some, there were others that bored me to tears or didn't have enough substance. I wish citations had been used to add more credibility to the essays.

Essays worth reading: Hope on the Battlefield; Pay It Forward; Love, Honor, and Thank; Are You a Jerk at Work? ; The Power Paradox

...all in all, made me reflect about gratitude and incorporate it into everyday ritual.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of articles reporting on scientific evidence for human beings having compassionate instincts, as a counterwight to the usual emphasis on inborn agression and hostility. Some are most concerned with the scientific findings, others with ways to cultivate human goodness individually and culturally. 3-1/2 stars.

[Kevin McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elvis Costello once posed the question what's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding. After reading The Compassionate Instinct I can't help but wonder why isn't there more peace love and understanding

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about the science of virtue. Actually kindness, empathy, compassion, and even heroism has its place in society. Also people who display these wonderful qualities do better in life. This is a great counterbalance to the image often portrayed in the media nowadays!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

some personal stories some research about what it means to be empathic, compassionate and ethical

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a tough time getting through this book. In the end, I did not buy the premise and felt it was shaping the narrative to fit its agenda.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read of short ideas that come together to give hope in the character & values of humans in ways maybe not considered before. Very fascinating ideas!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Just finished it!

[Karen]

#UnderstandingOppression

The Compassionate Instinct: The Science of Human Goodness by Dacher Keltner #truth #hope

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really goood essays. I jumped around a bit, but the things I read were very insightful.