09/30/2011

Could A Lack Of Empathy Explain Cruelty?

Can neuroscience and psychology explain cruelty? In his new book “The Science of Evil,” Cambridge University professor Simon Baron-Cohen explains the empathy spectrum we all lie on and that an erosion of empathy can explain why some commit cruel acts.

Segment Guests

Simon Baron-Cohen

Simon Baron-Cohen FBA is Professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He is the Director of the University’s Autism Research Centre, and a Fellow of Trinity College.

Meet the Producer

About Aleszu Bajak

Aleszu Bajak is a science writer based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before moving to the Southern Cone, he worked as a producer for Science Friday, as a research technician at Cornell’s gene therapy department, and as a guitar teacher.