Empathy, A Handbook for Revolution, by Roman Krznaric #BookReview

Empathy by Roman Krznaric is what I call ‘pop-philosophy’. Like the popular works of Bertrand Russell and Alain de Botton it’s easy to read, and it tackles the sort of every day philosophical issues that ordinary people think about it even if they don’t necessarily identify these preoccupations as philosophy.  

But whereas Russell wrestles with big picture issues e.g. as in Authority and the Individual where he explored the importance of balancing freedom with a well-ordered society, de Botton and Krznaric are more in the ‘lifestyle philosophers’ camp.   De Botton has written about everything from travel to status anxiety (and I’ve browsed his books but never really engaged with them) while others in this camp are Damon Young whose Philosophy in the Garden is a booklover’s delight: it explores the gardens of great authors and how these gardens provided a refuge for thought and creativity.

Krznaric is a prolific author too.  According…