Overview

The science of compassion has grown substantially over the past several decades. Researchers across psychology, neuroscience, and the social sciences have developed rigorous frameworks for understanding what compassion is, how it works, and what makes it flourish or fade.

This section brings together key articles, overviews, and talks from researchers and practitioners working in this field. It begins with the overview below and will grow over time.

What it is, where it comes from, and why it matters more than ever

By Michael Juberg

This research overview covers the psychological and neurological basis of compassion, its distinction from empathy, its evolutionary roots, what the evidence shows it can do across healthcare, education, and society, and the questions that remain open.

Drawing on decades of investigation across psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative traditions, this article offers a rigorous and accessible entry point into the science of compassion.