Contributions and Limits of Empathy in Moral Decision Making: A Social Neuroscience Perspective

Abstract

Empathy is a core aspect of our humanity, playing a fundamental role in motivating concern for others. This ability comes with cognitive, emotional, and energetic costs. Empathy is also limited and fragile and, therefore not always a reliable source of information in moral decision-making. This paper integrates evolutionary theory, social neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics to demonstrate why and how various social cues and situational factors unconsciously and rapidly modulate empathy. This theoretical framework explains why decision-making guided by empathy alone can erode our ethical values. Clarifying the role of empathy in moral decision-making processes has implications for law, health, and public policy.