Practical Wisdom with Dr. Rick Hanson The Personal Benefits of Empathy for “Them”
Mar 18, 2026
A talk about why extending empathy beyond close circles can soften the heart and ease inner burden. It explores the evolution and psychology behind caring, and practical steps to notice similarities with challenging people. The conversation balances widening moral concern with maintaining justice and clear boundaries.
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Scale Shrinks Our Natural Empathy
- Modern large-scale societies disrupt natural empathy by creating many strangers and perceived differences.
- Perceiving someone as different downregulates neural circuitry for empathy, making exclusion easier.
Name Similarities With Someone Who Irritates You
- Actively look for and name similarities with someone who irritates you to rekindle empathy.
- Try noting concrete parallels like shared vulnerabilities, tastes, or family roles as Rick Hanson models in the practice.
Use Cognition To Reboot Empathy
- Cognitively seek similarities because perceived difference immediately reduces empathy.
- Remind yourself how you are alike to let others' suffering land in your heart and enable real compassion.