Ideas worth spreading

A radical experiment in empathy

1,902,603 views | Sam Richards • TEDxPSU

Can two countries at war dare to empathize with one another? Step by methodical step, sociologist Sam Richards gives his audience an extraordinary challenge: to allow a group of (mainly) Americans to understand -- not approve of, but understand -- the motivations of an Iraqi insurgent. A powerful talk.

Can two countries at war dare to empathize with one another? Step by methodical step, sociologist Sam Richards gives his audience an extraordinary challenge: to allow a group of (mainly) Americans to understand -- not approve of, but understand -- the motivations of an Iraqi insurgent. A powerful talk.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxPSU, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

Sam Richards

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Sam Richards is a sociologist and teacher of the largest race relations course in the US. He argues that empathy is the core of sociology.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxPSU, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.