Neuroscience says the brain really cares about other people. Here are 3 reasons why:
Reason 1 — Because our offspring are so vulnerable, sympathy is the strongest human instinct. We are misinformed about Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest. You might be surprised to learn that Darwin actually wrote this:
“ Communities, which included the greatest number of the most sympathetic members, would flourish best.“
Reason 2 — Mirror neurons in our brain make us wired to empathize. When you feel physical pain, certain parts of your brain light up. If you see someone else in physical pain, the same parts of your brain light up!
Reason 3 — When we see the others in pain, massive feelings of compassion are triggered in us. When we witness the pain of others, it lights up the periaqueductal gray–a very old part of our brain. This part of the brain developed in mammals because they must take care of their young. Compassion is an ancient part of the nervous system.