Description
Book SynopsisHow can we understand another person's feelings, thoughts, words or behaviour? Through empathy, it is hoped, we might use our imaginations to shift our perspective into another person's, thereby grasping their thoughts and emotions.
Trade Review"This is a terrific introduction to the concept of empathy. Matravers takes us on a first-rate tour of the concept, stopping along the way to trace its historical roots, and to examine the role of empathy in morality and aesthetics. I found myself effortlessly whisked along by Matravers' insightful distinctions and engaging examples. If you are new to the philosophy of empathy, this is the book to read. If you are already an expert, Matravers' clear-headed presentation of the theoretical alternatives will help you take the perspective of your competitors."
—Heather Battaly, California State University, Fullerton
"Matravers' book provides a very enjoyable, highly nuanced, and historically astute discussion of the concept of empathy and its alleged contribution to understanding other minds, to morality, and to our appreciation of works of art. It constitutes a first-rate introduction to a—philosophically rather confusing—topic."
—Karsten Stueber, author of Rediscovering Empathy
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements viii
1 Introduction: Some Historical Preliminaries 1
2 Some Conceptual Preliminaries 15
3 Empathy as Simulation 25
4 A Priori and A Posteriori Empathy 42
5 Re-enacting the Thoughts of Others 62
6 Empathy and the Emotions 75
7 Empathy and Ethics 104
8 Empathy and Aesthetics 124
9 Afterword 145
Notes 152
Bibliography 156
Index 164
