Pathological Altruism

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Social Psychology
Cover of the book Pathological Altruism by , Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780190453817
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: December 19, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780190453817
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: December 19, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The benefits of altruism and empathy are obvious. These qualities are so highly regarded and embedded in both secular and religious societies that it seems almost heretical to suggest they can cause harm. Like most good things, however, altruism can be distorted or taken to an unhealthy extreme. Pathological Altruism presents a number of new, thought-provoking theses that explore a range of hurtful effects of altruism and empathy. Pathologies of empathy, for example, may trigger depression as well as the burnout seen in healthcare professionals. The selflessness of patients with eating abnormalities forms an important aspect of those disorders. Hyperempathy - an excess of concern for what others think and how they feel - helps explain popular but poorly defined concepts such as codependency. In fact, pathological altruism, in the form of an unhealthy focus on others to the detriment of one's own needs, may underpin some personality disorders. Pathologies of altruism and empathy not only underlie health issues, but also a disparate slew of humankind's most troubled features, including genocide, suicide bombing, self-righteous political partisanship, and ineffective philanthropic and social programs that ultimately worsen the situations they are meant to aid. Pathological Altruism is a groundbreaking new book - the first to explore the negative aspects of altruism and empathy, seemingly uniformly positive traits. The contributing authors provide a scientific, social, and cultural foundation for the subject of pathological altruism, creating a new field of inquiry. Each author's approach points to one disturbing truth: what we value so much, the altruistic "good" side of human nature, can also have a dark side that we ignore at our peril.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The benefits of altruism and empathy are obvious. These qualities are so highly regarded and embedded in both secular and religious societies that it seems almost heretical to suggest they can cause harm. Like most good things, however, altruism can be distorted or taken to an unhealthy extreme. Pathological Altruism presents a number of new, thought-provoking theses that explore a range of hurtful effects of altruism and empathy. Pathologies of empathy, for example, may trigger depression as well as the burnout seen in healthcare professionals. The selflessness of patients with eating abnormalities forms an important aspect of those disorders. Hyperempathy - an excess of concern for what others think and how they feel - helps explain popular but poorly defined concepts such as codependency. In fact, pathological altruism, in the form of an unhealthy focus on others to the detriment of one's own needs, may underpin some personality disorders. Pathologies of altruism and empathy not only underlie health issues, but also a disparate slew of humankind's most troubled features, including genocide, suicide bombing, self-righteous political partisanship, and ineffective philanthropic and social programs that ultimately worsen the situations they are meant to aid. Pathological Altruism is a groundbreaking new book - the first to explore the negative aspects of altruism and empathy, seemingly uniformly positive traits. The contributing authors provide a scientific, social, and cultural foundation for the subject of pathological altruism, creating a new field of inquiry. Each author's approach points to one disturbing truth: what we value so much, the altruistic "good" side of human nature, can also have a dark side that we ignore at our peril.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by
Cover of the book Macro Cultural Psychology by
Cover of the book Acute Stroke Management in the First 24 Hours by
Cover of the book Gods, Heroes, and Ancestors by
Cover of the book Giving Well by
Cover of the book Pointing at the Moon by
Cover of the book World Wonders - With Audio Level 2 Factfiles Oxford Bookworms Library by
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Post-Keynesian Economics, Volume 2 by
Cover of the book Knowing Body, Moving Mind by
Cover of the book Point of Attack by
Cover of the book An African Volk by
Cover of the book Justice Perverted by
Cover of the book Roosevelt's Second Act by
Cover of the book Leadership, Discourse, and Ethnicity by
Cover of the book America Walks into a Bar by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy