What Charles Darwin thinks about empathy
British naturalist (1809 to 1882), born in Shrewsbury; sailed as naturalist on the five-year voyage of HMS Beagle from 1831; author of On the Origin of Species.
Charles Darwin did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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3 dated positions, c. 1871–1874, in their own words. Our reading of what Charles Darwin has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingOnce sympathy reaches the whole nation, only an artificial barrier keeps it from all races
Their wordsAs man advances in civilisation, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that he ought to extend his social instincts and sympathies to all the members of the same nation, though personally unknown to him. This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent his sympathies extending to the men of all nations and races.
↗The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (second edition, 1874)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsTo do good unto others—to do unto others as ye would they should do unto you—is the foundation-stone of morality.
↗The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (second edition, 1874)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsNor could we check our sympathy, even at the urging of hard reason, without deterioration in the noblest part of our nature.
↗The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (second edition, 1874)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book