The Empathic Civilization

I listened to Bob Edwards program this afternoon on National Public Radio. He interviewed Jeremy Rifkin, the author of The Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis. I thought it was a fascinating conversation.

Basically, he says that we are, by nature, empathic creatures. Babies are born, trying to make connections. Research says that we are wired to be empathic with others' actions and suffering. Further, our empathy for others is based on our lines of relationship. Throughout history, as our civilization has extended its reach of knowledge of and interaction with others, our ability to act in sympathy with others has increased.

Mr. Rifkin says that we are now at a turning point. Old institutions support connections that are regional, while our knowledge of and interaction with others has gone global. Our empathy is being restrained by these institutions; instead, we need to create new institutions that will facilitate a blossoming new level of empathy.

This basic description comes only from the interview, and I'm sure is quite simplistic. I have also found one blog that is critical of Rifkin's work, saying that he limits his own scope to the Euro-American sphere, excluding more indigenous sources of wisdom.

However, I find the ideas intriguing. What do you think?