Empathy and the Humanities in an age of Polarisation

Join the School of Humanities and Languages at this talk by Professor David Coury, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, US

Empathy and the Humanities in an Age of Polarisation

What can a 3,000-year-old epic teach us about the world we live in today? From The Odyssey and the ancient Greek principle of hospitality to contemporary debates about political power, nationalism and democracy, this presentation explores why empathy remains one of the most important—and contested—human values. It considers what happens when strength and domination take precedence over compassion, responsibility and respect for others.

Drawing on examples from literature, history, politics and contemporary culture, the presentation examines empathy as both an ethical ideal and a civic practice. To what extent can the Humanities deepen our understanding of today’s polarised world? Can literature, philosophy, history and the arts cultivate empathy, illuminate complex social tensions, and help us imagine more humane and democratic futures in an era defined by polarisation and uncertainty?