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What defines humans: self-interest and self-focus, or empathy and compassion? While "exogenous" sciences like economy and sociology have alone failed to give an exhaustive definition of human nature, producing partial concepts like the "homo economicus," the answer might still come from an "inside-out" approach. Taking the neurons as the starting point of a journey through psychology, economics, philosophy, and evolutionary anthropology, Tania Singer is one of the few scientists in the world with the right titles to take neurosciences beyond their commonalities. Singer, whose work has received many awards and distinctions, has used drama, film, music, and dance to organize a conference on altruism in economic systems with the Dalai Lama. In this 2010 Falling Walls lecture video, Singer explores the possible trainability and cultivation of empathy and compassion, encouraging us to rediscover and instill important but forgotten human capacities.
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