Healthy Brain –  Neuroscientist Christian Keysers, specialist in mirror neurons, draws an image of empathy that is firmly grounded in biology and evolution.

he empathic brain

How do the actions and emotions of others touch us? Why do we care to help others? Is this unique to humans? Neuroscientist professor Christian Keysers shows how people, monkeys and rats generate their own actions and emotions while witnessing those of others. Even rats become anxious around scared rats, and avoid actions that harm others. Interfering with the brain mechanisms that activate actions and emotions interferes with empathy and helping. Psychopathic criminals do not spontaneously activate their own pain while witnessing the pain of others. Altogether, this draws an image of empathy that is firmly grounded in our biology and evolution.

Tue 18 February 2020 20:00

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