Today's College Students More Likely to Lack Empathy

Unfortunately you're not right that a student has to encounter evolution, or even a biology class, while at college these days. While I majored in evolutionary biology in college, the majority of my friends took a single "science for non-majors" class that fulfilled their only science requirement. They didn't even touch upon even the fundamental basics of biology, chemistry and physics. Often a class evolutionary theory requires a number of prerequisite classes and it also involves quite a bit of math. It's unlikely that people who are not majoring or minoring in biology can take it at many campuses.

Also note "survival of the fittest" is not a phrase used by most biologists these days due to its inaccuracy. In fact, the phrase comes from a man named Herbert Spencer who was comparing economic theory to Darwin's work. You should probably actually read a book or take a class on evolution if you think it has anything to do with "everyone for themselves." Everything you're talking about here belongs in a psychology classroom.

Regardless of any of this, I fail to see what science classes would have to do with anything discussed in this article. A lack of empathy in modern culture isn't going to be the result of a single cause. I'd be looking more at things like the media and the fact that only 1 in 5 families eat together at the dinner table before anything else.

Dan of VA 1:58AM May 30, 2010

That was a super lame overthought answer. I say, students now days interact more via modern media than face to face and don't socialize well because of it. This lack of socialization compared to previous generations causes the lack of empathy. Also note, it mentions college students. Those less fortunate, will not have these problems as much as they don't have the gadgets to distract them as much.

Jim of TX 1:23AM May 30, 2010

compassion fatigue.

ben of UT 1:04AM May 30, 2010

I wonder if this has anything to do with the change in modern beliefs that has taken place in the past few decades. Specifically the divergent ideals associated with intelligent design and evolution. Granted there are belief-based campuses around the globe, but in general I think its fair to say when you enter a college level science classroom, the theory of evolution through natural selection is going to be covered at least. . . if not made into a full fledged entire course. Am I right? I am not going to state which is right or wrong in this comment, evolution or intelligent design, but I will point out my own bias of preferring the latter. I would like to point out that the mindset surrounding evolution does not by default include being compassionate or empathetic. In fact if anything it is the opposite. "Survival of the fittest" means everyone for themselves. Take what you can get and always be looking out for number one. Empathy is optional and may even go on to be a waste of time in the race to survive. It was only in this past century or so that intelligent design was seriously questioned by public schools (in the US). During the 1920's and shortly thereafter it became more common to teach evolution along side if not in place of intelligent design, whether the 'designer' be the Christian God of the Bible or any other supreme deity. With intelligent design, you have (something or someONE rather) to answer to if you do wrong or are selfish and the like. That is NOT to say that if you believe in evolution that are without morals, no. Just that when the masses are not compelled through foundational beliefs to seek after things like empathy, compassion, grace, humbleness and the like it opens the door for our natural sense of greed to kick in and flourish on its own.

I agree with deaky too. Parents need to discipline their kids more often. With little kids, a calm voice of "honey, please don't do that" doesn't always get to them. They don't understand why. A firm visual and physical consequence can get the message better at times. I was spanked as a kid and I thank my parents for it. Later in life is when your kids develop a sense of not wanting to disappoint you or let you down by their actions but when they're little, sometimes you just gotta be firm. I have little to no tolerance for my kids acting out of line when they know better. The reason you behave in a good manor is because there are consequences for rebelling against that. Some that you won't like. If you're a dick later on in life because your parents let you do whatever you want and gave you whatever you wanted when you whined about it, its going to close doors for you in one way or another when you continue doing that as an adult.

Jordan 'Noisewater' of WA 12:53AM May 30, 2010