Hello,
The SNU Institute of Philosophy is pleased to invite you to the 5th Colloquium on Trends in Contemporary Philosophy (3rd Series), where we will host Professor Incheol Park from Kyung Hee University, presenting on the topic of Empathy and Justice. We welcome all those interested to attend.
Event Details:
- Date and Time: Monday, November 25, 2024, 16:00–18:00
- Venue: Room 403, Building 6, College of Humanities, SNU (Institute of Philosophy)
- Speaker: Professor Incheol Park, Kyung Hee University
- Topic: Empathy and Justice
Lecture Summary:
Empathy, the foundation of deep human connection, is often seen as a moral basis for altruistic behavior due to its role in enabling us to understand, feel, and care for others from their perspective. This empathetic ability allows us to share in others' suffering and foster a compassionate regard for them. However, the moral character of empathy has its critics, most notably psychologist Paul Bloom, who argues that empathy is not a universal moral foundation. Bloom contends that emotional empathy (sympathy), typically seen as the hallmark of empathy, is in fact biased and often disproportionately directed toward those with whom we feel close, leading to partiality rather than fairness. Excessive empathy can even provoke anger or violence toward those perceived to have wronged the empathized individuals, thus making it an unreliable basis for morality.
Bloom argues that emotional empathy can act as a catalyst for conflict and violence and should be controlled. However, Professor Park suggests that Bloom’s critique overlooks the essential role of imagination in empathy, wherein one identifies with another through imagination, respecting the other’s dignity. This imaginative aspect allows empathy to transcend personal biases and foster universal respect for others. While effort is needed to develop and extend this capacity, when empathy functions universally, it has the potential to build a just and moral society through harmonious human relationships.
About the Speaker:
Professor Incheol Park completed his undergraduate and master’s studies at Seoul National University, followed by a Ph.D. on Husserl's Life-World at the University of Wuppertal, Germany. Currently a professor at Kyung Hee University, his research seeks to reinterpret Husserlian phenomenology from various perspectives—including cultural, political, educational, and art philosophy, as well as transhumanism and posthumanism. His recent works include Posthumanism and Phenomenology, Autonomy and Imagination in Husserlian Phenomenology, and major books such as Phenomenology and Interculturality and Reading Husserl’s Cartesian Meditations.