Rich, diversified and complex, the range of emotions we feel when in contact with other organisms is the very image of
organisms is the very image of biodiversity. However, the scientific study of the questions related to it
Thus, there is a strong evolutionary component of our empathic reactions towards other species
to other species: the empathy that we feel towards other species (and the compassion that
species (and the compassion that follows) depends very clearly on their phylogenetic proximity.
phylogenetic proximity. But what about empathy towards other species if we take into account
its neurodiversity, its ethnic variation, and its ontogeny?
References:
Miralles, A., Grandgeorge, M. Raymond, M. 2022. Self-perceived empathic abilities of people with
autism towards living beings mostly differs for humans. Scientific Reports,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10353-2
Miralles, A., Raymond, M.*, Lecointre, G.* 2019. Empathy and compassion toward other species
decrease with evolutionary divergence time. Scientific Reports, 9:19555 [ * : equal
contribution].https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56006-9
