Learning Challenge: Empathic Civilization

This learning challenge was a RSA Animate video about empathy called The Empathic Civilization . The video talks about how we as humans have a wonderful ability to show empathy in others. In the past, many scientists had been under the impression that humans were soft wired to be violent and dominant, but actually we have mirror neurons. I had never heard of mirror neurons before, but they are neurons that allow us to feel what other people feel. Monkeys and elephants have these as well, and possibly dolphins, but the studies are in an early stage. I thought this was really neat and hadn't learned about this before, but I am a little bit skeptical. In the video, the speaker talks about how the support for Haiti is a sign that humans have the ability to show empathy for others without a reward. I am not sure if I agree with that, because I have heard so many psychology theories that humans are self serving and even acts of charity can be in order to look good in front of others or to feel good about oneself, but I hope I am wrong because the speaker is very positive about humans!