Empathy is a key part of human instinct from "summary" of The Human Instinct by Kenneth R. Miller
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a fundamental aspect of human nature. It is deeply ingrained in our minds and hearts, shaping our interactions with one another and guiding our moral compass. This capacity for empathy is not learned or acquired through experience; rather, it is an innate part of our being, a key component of our instinctual makeup. From a young age, humans demonstrate an innate sense of empathy towards others. Babies as young as six months old have been shown to display signs of empathy, such as crying in response to the distress of another. This suggests that the capacity for empathy is present from birth, a natural inclination that is part of our genetic inheritance. Evolutionary biologists propose that empathy has been favored by natural selection because it promotes social cohesion and cooperation among individuals. In a social species like humans, the ability to understand and respond to the emotions of others is crucial for forming and maintaining relationships, as well as for navigating the complexities of social interactions....
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