Overview

Australia's leading compassion researcher explores the challenges of becoming a more compassionate person and developing a more compassionate society When you think of compassion, what comes to mind? Kindness, understanding, tenderness, empathy, maybe warmth? Compassion can be all those things - but it is much more. Drawing on his many years of experience as a clinical psychologist and researcher, Dr James Kirby brings together hard science and real-life examples to offer a guide to a more compassionate life and society. Kirby debunks the myth that compassion is simply a feeling and shows us how it is a motivational force that can shape our behaviour and relationships with each other and the world. He considers how it might help with self-criticism, parenting and grief, and he explores what part artificial intelligence might play in a compassionate future. In this engaging and timely book, Kirby traverses philosophy, psychology and pop culture to show how we can choose compassion to make our lives healthier, happier and more meaningful.

Full Product Details

9780702265648

Table of Contents

Reviews

'A timely and groundbreaking expos� on how compassion can transform the suffering we face in this world. James Kirby compellingly makes the case that when we choose compassion, we choose to engage in courageous actions that can transform the lives of others, giving them hope, safety, opportunity and freedom.' - Craig Foster AM, human rights activist, broadcaster and former Socceroo 'In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, James Kirby brings together philosophical arguments, scientific research, and his own experiences as a clinical psychologist to explore the many challenges of becoming a more compassionate person and developing a more compassionate society. Choose Compassion is a delight - a rich, humane, and beautifully written discussion of how we can be our very best selves.' - Professor Paul Bloom, author of The Sweet Spot: The pleasures of suffering and the search for meaning 'This book is a gem. It is full of up-to-date findings, reflections on crucial conceptual issues and self-help guidance all presented in an easy-to-understand way. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in how to cultivate and promote caring and compassionate behaviours in oneself and many areas of life ... A wonderfully rich and insightful book that will transform how you understand and cultivate compassion for yourself and others by one of the world's leading compassion researchers.' - Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, author of The Compassionate Mind 'If you want to understand compassion you need look no further than this book. James Kirby seamlessly and compellingly weaves together current events, ethical dilemmas and therapeutic practice. Choose Compassion is moving, informative and highly engaging: an essential and stimulating guide to the value/quality we all so badly need at this troubled time.' - Jennifer Nadel, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics, and co-author with Gillian Anderson of We: A manifesto for women everywhere 'Choose Compassion made me want to be a better person - and, more importantly, gave me hope that was something within my reach. Hopeful, friendly, accessible - it's like listening to a smart friend explaining those psychological and ethical concepts you've always wondered about.' - Tegan Taylor, health and science reporter, ABC 'To anyone despairing at the state of the world right now, grab this book. It is a handbook for humanity, a deep re-affirmation of our innate compassion for others and the urgency to reclaim it, everywhere and anywhere we can, today.' - Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM, Founder and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre 'Powerful, fun, and insightful. This book makes you think creatively about compassion and gives us hope that we can each do something to help each other.' - Scott Barry Kaufman PhD, author of Transcend and Choose Growth, and host of The Psychology Podcast

'A timely and groundbreaking exposé on how compassion can transform the suffering we face in this world. James Kirby compellingly makes the case that when we choose compassion, we choose to engage in courageous actions that can transform the lives of others, giving them hope, safety, opportunity and freedom.' - Craig Foster AM, human rights activist, broadcaster and former Socceroo 'In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, James Kirby brings together philosophical arguments, scientific research, and his own experiences as a clinical psychologist to explore the many challenges of becoming a more compassionate person and developing a more compassionate society. Choose Compassion is a delight - a rich, humane, and beautifully written discussion of how we can be our very best selves.' - Professor Paul Bloom, author of The Sweet Spot: The pleasures of suffering and the search for meaning 'This book is a gem. It is full of up-to-date findings, reflections on crucial conceptual issues and self-help guidance all presented in an easy-to-understand way. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in how to cultivate and promote caring and compassionate behaviours in oneself and many areas of life ... A wonderfully rich and insightful book that will transform how you understand and cultivate compassion for yourself and others by one of the world's leading compassion researchers.' - Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, author of The Compassionate Mind 'If you want to understand compassion you need look no further than this book. James Kirby seamlessly and compellingly weaves together current events, ethical dilemmas and therapeutic practice. Choose Compassion is moving, informative and highly engaging: an essential and stimulating guide to the value/quality we all so badly need at this troubled time.' - Jennifer Nadel, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics, and co-author with Gillian Anderson of We: A manifesto for women everywhere 'Choose Compassion made me want to be a better person - and, more importantly, gave me hope that was something within my reach. Hopeful, friendly, accessible - it's like listening to a smart friend explaining those psychological and ethical concepts you've always wondered about.' - Tegan Taylor, health and science reporter, ABC 'To anyone despairing at the state of the world right now, grab this book. It is a handbook for humanity, a deep re-affirmation of our innate compassion for others and the urgency to reclaim it, everywhere and anywhere we can, today.' - Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM, Founder and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre 'Powerful, fun, and insightful. This book makes you think creatively about compassion and gives us hope that we can each do something to help each other.' - Scott Barry Kaufman PhD, author of Transcend and Choose Growth, and host of The Psychology Podcast

Author Information

James Kirby is the co-director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He studies the effectiveness of Compassion Focused Therapy interventions in helping with the self-criticism and shame that underpin many depression and anxiety disorders. James also works as a clinical psychologist in private practice. This is his first book.

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