Explorations into the nature and function of compassion
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Published on: November 7, 2018
1Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, College of Health and Social Care Research Centre, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK.
Abstract:
Compassion has become a major focus for international research in prosocial behaviour. This paper explores the evolutionary origins of caring and how recently evolved cognitive competencies create human compassion. While some see compassion as linked to an emotional or affective state, others root compassion in an evolved motivation and social mentality. The paper will briefly explore fears, blocks and resistances to compassion, how compassion can be understood as a social mentality and the increasing focus on compassionate mind training.
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