Is human nature fundamentally good? A new book argues empathy is our default setting and offers practical ways to activate this natural capacity for understanding others.
The story
I’ve been thinking about human nature lately. It’s easy to get discouraged scrolling through news headlines. But what if our default setting is actually goodness?
Scott Howard Swain’s book “A Practical EmPath: Rewire Your Mind” makes a compelling case for this. He shows how cognitive empathy – our ability to understand others’ perspectives – is hardwired into us, just waiting to be activated.
What grabbed me was his concept of “Street empathy” – taking complex psychology and making it practical for everyday conversations. It’s not some lofty ideal but a natural capacity we can strengthen.
I’ve started using some of these techniques, and it’s surprising how quickly anger fades when replaced with genuine curiosity about another person’s experience.
The change isn’t just in how we relate to others – it changes us too. By tapping into our natural empathy, we reduce our own anxiety and find more peace.
Maybe the most hopeful message is that goodness isn’t something we need to force. It’s already there, waiting to be uncovered through practice.
If you’re looking for evidence that humans are fundamentally good – and practical ways to bring out that goodness – this book offers both the philosophy and the how-to.
