01/07/2026
Empathy isn’t the hero we think it is. Sometimes, it’s the problem.
Book Recommendation from Courageous Counseling: Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion by Paul Bloom challenges one of our most sacred cultural beliefs—that feeling others’ pain automatically leads to better choices.
Bloom argues that empathy can be biased, shortsighted, and even harmful. We feel deeply for one visible story while ignoring countless others. We protect “our people” while justifying harm to those outside the circle. And when emotion drives decisions alone, fairness and wisdom often get left behind.
This book draws a powerful distinction:
Empathy is feeling with someone.
Rational compassion is caring for someone—with clarity, reason, and ethics guiding the response.
It’s not a call to be cold or unkind. It’s an invitation to care better. To help more effectively. To make decisions rooted in justice, not just emotion.
If you work in mental health, leadership, education, or simply want to show up for others without burning out or becoming biased—this read will stretch you in the best way.
