Why do we care about the pain of others? Join us for an interdisciplinaâ��ry conversation that draws on the research of UConn faculty to better understand empathy—a vital, but often elusive, element in any civil society. How does our assessment of suffering—our own or others—determinâ��e what rights we bestow? To what degree are “natural” feelings like empathy embedded in human chemistry, and to what extent are they the result of our social environment? While these questions are ancient, they remain urgent for twenty-first century Americans as we try to navigate a world marked by sharp political and religious divisions.
Roundtable participants: Anna Mae Duane (English), Jane Gordon (Political Science), Patrick Hogan (English), Michael Morrell (Political Science), and Stanton Wolfe (Dir. of Ed. and Training, Pappanikou Ctr. for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Ed, Research, and Service).
Stern Lounge, Austin 217. Monday, September 29, 4:30-6:00. All are welcome.
For more information, contact: Anna Mae Duane at anna.duane@uconn.edu