Compassion and empathy

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

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Yellow taxis drive on the Brooklyn Bridge, with the New York City skyline in the background on a partly cloudy day.

Decision-making

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The mathematical case against blaming people for their misfortune

Complexity science reveals the hard limits of our predictive abilities, and makes a mathematical case for compassion

by David Kinney

Photo of a sunny cobblestone street with colourful buildings, a red car, people walking on the sidewalk and a man on a yellow building’s balcony.

Fairness and equality

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What is a minimally good life and are you prepared to live it?

Would you be willing to swap your life with that of the least fortunate person in your society? A philosophical test for justice

by Nicole Hassoun

Two women talking in front of a poster depicting men reading newspapers, with a construction worker nearby.

Communication and language

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How to have more meaningful conversations

Be brave enough to share, kind enough to listen, and you can escape the shallows of small talk to dive deep with another

by Lucy Foulkes

Illustration of a person in a purple shirt sitting at a table with a yellow mug, receiving a supportive hand on theirs.

Compassion and empathy

film

How one man saved 160 lives with an extended hand and a warm cup of tea

Directed by Alec Green and Finbar Watson

Photo of a man sitting on a porch playing a guitar. He is wearing jeans and a blue shirt. There is a small table with a plant nearby.

Compassion and empathy

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Self-compassion is not self-indulgence: here’s how to try it

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not self-indulgent to practise self-compassion. In fact, it helps you to care for others

by Christina Chwyl

Black-and-white photo of a serious-looking man flanked by a priest and two police officers in the background.

Virtues and vices

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Are people with dark personality traits more likely to succeed?

Turn towards the light: contrary to popular belief, nice guys have more success and happiness in the long run

by Craig Neumann & Scott Barry Kaufman

Painting of two women at a table; one looks down and the other glances sideways, holding a small red object.

Friendship

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How to support a struggling friend

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say or do. Use these five strategies for providing effective emotional support

by Elise Kalokerinos

A woman looking anxious on a subway train

Goals and motivation

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Eight ways to give yourself a pep talk when you feel stuck

All of us could do with more words of encouragement and perspective, and they don’t need to come from another person

by Rachel Goldsmith Turow

Person standing by a lake with mountains in the background, next to an empty bench.

Compassion and empathy

idea

Empathy is, at heart, an aesthetic appreciation of the other

Empathy is an aesthetic practice that relies on our capacity to delight in, and respond with reverence to, the world around us

by Susan Lanzoni

Abstract painting with bold colours depicting a man in a striped robe holding a paintbrush and palette, next to a woman person in light clothing.

Conflict and conflict resolution

guide

How to have a difficult conversation

Avoidance will only foster more conflict. Aim for a shared understanding with these techniques from an expert mediator

by Adar Cohen