The Politics of Empathy: New Interdisciplinary Perspectives on an Ancient Phenomenon

This anthology explores the significance and role of empathy in the public sphere. It examines the use of empathy to establish trans-cultural solidarity as well as to motivate people for political action in our ever increasingly multicultural environment. On a more practical level it investigates if empathy can be taught or cultivated. And, if so, are literature or other forms of cultural representations the most adequate and promising methods. The contributions will analyze these and other implications, potentials and weaknesses of empathy on an interdisciplinary and intercultural level.