Ah a most fascinating topic, but one that I've previously mostly considered from a single side -- biological. I'm interested in learning about cognitive empathy and learning the technique myself -- because I strive to control my unproductive "fight" impulses when met with adversarial behaviour in others. But there are few thoughts of my own I can share on the topic of empathy:
Developing cognitive empathy requites an individual to already have some degree of mindfulness and a desire to change, but can something be done about a mind that is comfortable, or worse -- revels in its psychopathy? People like Al Dunlap might not be open to suggestions of empathy simply because their brains reward malice beyond the boundaries seen in an average person.
Unfortunately there may be no voluntary solution in such cases, but there can be a non-invasive one --psilocybin.
There's a growing body of medical research on the matter, and to be honest I'd be fully prepared to experience the ego breakdown myself, that is if I ever manage to find legal (or at the very least non-regulated) access to the substance.
Hey there @eccles :)
Thank you for such an honest feedback!
I agree with you 100% I believe that for any sort of behaviour change to take place, the individual first and foremost needs to recognize it and than want to change. Mr. Danlup is quite comfortable in his own skin, particularly so because his unacceptable social behaviour has actually brought him wealth and recognition (oh, the world we live in is a 'funny' place!). But for those with the opposite mindset and being proactive to shift perceptions and attitudes, mindfulness is a great means to achieve that.
I discussed quite extensively on a previous post the point you raised here about our brains having a reward system that not only rewards malice, but also prompts pleasure at the sight of the pain of others.
I have come across many texts now discussing the emotional benefits brought about by psilocybin. I even have had the pleasure to chat with someone (a while ago) who was self-administering it!! I haven't heard from him for quite a while now. I just hope he is ok!
All the best to you :)
Warm Regards.
Ah, I've started reading that post but somehow got distracted and filed it away as already finished! Shame on me, I should have picked up on the fact that you've mentioned the ventral striatum and the part cingulate cortex that are mentioned in the article from Psychology Today. (Not that I've much of brain topology and function committed to memory though).
As for the person self-administering psilocybin... You probably already know this, and in fairness I should have mentioned it in the first place, but it's rather important to not take it without a sober partner to observe the effects and restrain you if necessary... I hope they're all right.