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Rational Empathy: How the Mind Reveals Objective Morality through Happiness
When you think about morality/ethics, what comes to your mind? Is good and evil a matter of opinion? Is it for cultures to decide what is right and wrong? Integrating moral philosophy with positive psychology, Rational Empathy explains why these popular notions of morality are wrong. Morality, as explained in this book, is based on empathy and derived through sheer logic! But why is morality important in the first place? Understanding morality helps us maximize happiness in our lives and bring more happiness to people whom we interact with or influence. Morality, philosophy and psychology are inseparably linked to each other - and understanding this connection can be enlightening and life-changing! The unique philosophy of this book that argues for objective morality outside of religion, poses a twin challenge for both religious morality as well as moral relativism.
This book explains why happiness forms the basis of moral value. It also explains how the subjectivity of happiness doesn't stop the resulting morality from being a type of objective truth - and thus debunks cultural/moral relativism and subjectivism. It explains how the four principles of empathic attitude, rational thinking, fearless expression and continuous improvement transform our lives by maximizing our happiness - and bring moral progress for humanity. This book is written for the philosopher and the common man alike. It has the potential to change the way the field of moral philosophy is going to be looked at - due to the following reasons:
1). It explains the straight link between morality and happiness - and thus shows that being moral is not a sacrifice, but a win-win phenomenon which brings happiness primarily for ourselves in addition to those whom we interact with or influence.
2). It busts the myth that we are not in control of our feelings - this understanding gives us the ability to create happiness and reduce suffering in our lives.
3). It shows that empathy is not in conflict with rationality - and thus debunks the false conflict between valuing feelings and love and valuing truth and intellect.
4). Philosophically, it shows a watertight logical derivation of objective morality - thus refuting the popular notions of morality being completely subjective or something defined by cultures, religions or any assumed authorities.
In this book, I explain a revamped outlook on empathy, viewing it as an action instead of an ability, including the crucial and often-ignored concept of self-empathy. It is often assumed by people that one can either be empathic or rational - and being good at one involves sacrificing the other. This is not just wrong, but a wrong with great consequences! One need not compromise on empathy to be highly rational. Conversely, one need not compromise on rationality to be highly empathic. Integrating empathy and rationality holds the key to greater levels of happiness in our lives. It also brings the world closer and closer towards moral enlightenment.
Through the lens of its philosophy of Rational Empathism, this book analyzes hotly debated moral and social issues such as abortion, non-vegetarianism, freedom of expression, blasphemy laws, feminism, marriage, sex segregation, Communism, immigration and education. It contains a critical analysis of religion with a focus on the three major religions of the world: Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, evaluating their positives and negatives. It also analyzes Atheism and examines its alleged relationship with morality.
The book acknowledges how everyone including the author himself can be mistaken even in their most strongly held beliefs and ideas. It encourages readers to approach the world with a loving and optimistic attitude and to think critically.
This book explains why happiness forms the basis of moral value. It also explains how the subjectivity of happiness doesn't stop the resulting morality from being a type of objective truth - and thus debunks cultural/moral relativism and subjectivism. It explains how the four principles of empathic attitude, rational thinking, fearless expression and continuous improvement transform our lives by maximizing our happiness - and bring moral progress for humanity. This book is written for the philosopher and the common man alike. It has the potential to change the way the field of moral philosophy is going to be looked at - due to the following reasons:
1). It explains the straight link between morality and happiness - and thus shows that being moral is not a sacrifice, but a win-win phenomenon which brings happiness primarily for ourselves in addition to those whom we interact with or influence.
2). It busts the myth that we are not in control of our feelings - this understanding gives us the ability to create happiness and reduce suffering in our lives.
3). It shows that empathy is not in conflict with rationality - and thus debunks the false conflict between valuing feelings and love and valuing truth and intellect.
4). Philosophically, it shows a watertight logical derivation of objective morality - thus refuting the popular notions of morality being completely subjective or something defined by cultures, religions or any assumed authorities.
In this book, I explain a revamped outlook on empathy, viewing it as an action instead of an ability, including the crucial and often-ignored concept of self-empathy. It is often assumed by people that one can either be empathic or rational - and being good at one involves sacrificing the other. This is not just wrong, but a wrong with great consequences! One need not compromise on empathy to be highly rational. Conversely, one need not compromise on rationality to be highly empathic. Integrating empathy and rationality holds the key to greater levels of happiness in our lives. It also brings the world closer and closer towards moral enlightenment.
Through the lens of its philosophy of Rational Empathism, this book analyzes hotly debated moral and social issues such as abortion, non-vegetarianism, freedom of expression, blasphemy laws, feminism, marriage, sex segregation, Communism, immigration and education. It contains a critical analysis of religion with a focus on the three major religions of the world: Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, evaluating their positives and negatives. It also analyzes Atheism and examines its alleged relationship with morality.
The book acknowledges how everyone including the author himself can be mistaken even in their most strongly held beliefs and ideas. It encourages readers to approach the world with a loving and optimistic attitude and to think critically.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 30, 2019
This is the first book by one of my friends, Rohit Balakrishnan, who has provided a unique insight into moral philosophy and its foundations. His own philosophy, Rational Empathism, is a combination of empathy and rationality.
This book is essentially divided into two parts - the first describes, argues for and validates the philosophy of Rational Empathism, and the second addresses specific issues of our times such as religious beliefs, abortion, sex segregation, immigration etc. I found the first part quite illuminating because it exposed me to a new philosophy which has been well argued for.
As for the second part, Rohit's views on religion are quite similar to mine, so I did not find anything in them which I do not know, or profess. However, these will be illuminating for those who are confused about religion, especially the fence sitters who describe themselves as agnostics or people who say they respect all religions while not taking beliefs seriously.
Perhaps Rohit could flesh out his arguments on current affairs topics, such as abortion, sex segregation, feminism, immigration, children's rights etc a bit more in the future. Nevertheless, one can accept that the primary purpose of this book was not an in-depth analysis of these topics, so the extent of analysis he has made of them is more than sufficient, and provides serious insight into his perspectives.
As a young author, he has done a remarkable job in expounding his philosophy - which though it has antecedents has been brought out in a unique way. I wish him all the best for any future works he intends to write.
This book is essentially divided into two parts - the first describes, argues for and validates the philosophy of Rational Empathism, and the second addresses specific issues of our times such as religious beliefs, abortion, sex segregation, immigration etc. I found the first part quite illuminating because it exposed me to a new philosophy which has been well argued for.
As for the second part, Rohit's views on religion are quite similar to mine, so I did not find anything in them which I do not know, or profess. However, these will be illuminating for those who are confused about religion, especially the fence sitters who describe themselves as agnostics or people who say they respect all religions while not taking beliefs seriously.
Perhaps Rohit could flesh out his arguments on current affairs topics, such as abortion, sex segregation, feminism, immigration, children's rights etc a bit more in the future. Nevertheless, one can accept that the primary purpose of this book was not an in-depth analysis of these topics, so the extent of analysis he has made of them is more than sufficient, and provides serious insight into his perspectives.
As a young author, he has done a remarkable job in expounding his philosophy - which though it has antecedents has been brought out in a unique way. I wish him all the best for any future works he intends to write.
May 4, 2021
I stumbled across Rohit Balakrishnan's Rational Empathy (while searching for Paul Bloom's book Against Empathy) and am so happy I did. I've read John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham, and Peter Singer. I've read Moral Tribes, The Moral Landscape, and probably a half dozen other books on utilitarian morality. This is my absolute favorite.
Rational Empathy is a complete, yet still easily understandable, explanation and defense of utilitarian morality. Balakrishnan explains why well-being is the only thing one could possibly care about, why maximizing it must be the goal of any ethical choice, and why the strongest rebuttals to this moral philosophy fail. And he does so in the clearest, simplest language possible.
The later chapters explain how maximizing well-being plays out in regards to various social issues (feminism, vegetarianism, and fundamentalism, for example). Even if you don't agree with all of Balakrishnan's conclusions on these topics, the premises are so strong, you may actually find your views changing.
Rational Empathy is a complete, yet still easily understandable, explanation and defense of utilitarian morality. Balakrishnan explains why well-being is the only thing one could possibly care about, why maximizing it must be the goal of any ethical choice, and why the strongest rebuttals to this moral philosophy fail. And he does so in the clearest, simplest language possible.
The later chapters explain how maximizing well-being plays out in regards to various social issues (feminism, vegetarianism, and fundamentalism, for example). Even if you don't agree with all of Balakrishnan's conclusions on these topics, the premises are so strong, you may actually find your views changing.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews