1. In two healthy paragraphs, summarize the piece AND show (with framed quotes and paraphrase from the text) what you believe to be the author’s three main points/arguments. Support with textual evidence and include your own initial response to the material.

In Paul Bloom’s essay, “Is empathy overrated”, his thoughts and perspective on empathy and its effects are clearly stated. Bloom sees that the negatives of empathy outweigh the positives (4). He mentions “spotlight” seven times throughout his essay, reaffirming his beliefs of the narrow focus empathy has, and that “is the one problem” (Bloom 1).

The spotlight empathy has leads to three main concerns according to Bloom. For starters, empathy is limited to our own biases. Who we know, care and love all affect the people that we reflect empathy towards. Anyone outside the realm of our knowledge and understanding can lead to distortion in our “moral judgements in pretty much the same way that prejudice does” (Bloom 2). Furthermore, a spotlight can only shine on a couple people at a time. What we read, see and hear influences what we come to know in the world. Certain events can trigger our emotional responses, which can lead to having an empathic nature. However, certain events that in reality have brought more detrimental effects that we are not emotionally tied to will not bring out the same rapport. Continuing on, this bias on what and who we have empathy towards can sway us toward “the one over the many” (Bloom 3). Frankly, there are too many things people from around the world are going through to feel real empathy towards everyone. Thus, resulting in our prioritization of shining brightly on those we love the most, and getting dim for those “who are strange or different or frightening” (Bloom, 3). 

  1. Do you agree with Bloom’s main arguments? Why or why not?

I do agree logically with Bloom’s main arguments on the narrow spotlight empathy has. However, I believe empathy still has more positives than negatives. Having empathy on a personal level can be used as a tool to grow in curiosity, understanding and compassion . The fact that Bloom barely touched on the positives of empathy, writing only one sentence over four pages, gives him less credibility in my eyes. Too one sided. 

  1. In what ways does Bloom challenge your initial understanding or perception regarding empathy?

Bloom challenged my initial understanding regarding empathy by looking at the black and white version of empathy as a whole, such as emphasizing the “perverse moral mathematics” (Bloom 3) that empathy brings. What we know is what we know, and what we don’t is what we don’t. What we see in the media more often than not shows “novel and unusual events” (Bloom 3) that trigger our emotional response and get our attention. However, what we don’t see may in fact be more damaging, but doesn’t have as much of an attractive title. 

4. Find one claim Bloom makes that evoked a strong response. Paste the direct quote from his piece, then write a few sentences in which you challenge OR support his claim in your own words and experience(s).

At the end of the first paragraph, Bloom writes “Empathy is like a spotlight directing attention and aid to where it’s needed” (1). 

Who can be the judge of where empathy is needed? Everyone has needs, and many of the needs we have, others are unable to see. Here, I challenged Bloom’s word choice in relation to his own personal biases and influences to where his spotlight is.