The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty

"A simple but persuasive hypothesis for a new way to think about evil." —New York Times

Borderline personality disorder, autism, narcissism, psychosis, Asperger's: All of these syndromes have one thing in common—lack of empathy. In some cases, this absence can be dangerous, but in others it can simply mean a different way of seeing the world.In The Science of Evil Simon Baron-Cohen, an award-winning British researcher who has investigated psychology and autism for decades, develops a new brain-based theory of human cruelty. A true psychologist, however, he examines social and environmental factors that can erode empathy, including neglect and abuse.

Based largely on Baron-Cohen's own research, The Science of Evil will change the way we understand and treat human cruelty.