Includes bibliographical references (pages 207-229) and index.

Explaining "evil" and human cruelty -- The empathy mechanism : the bell curve -- When zero degrees of empathy is negative -- When zero degrees of empathy is positive -- The empathy gene -- Reflections on human cruelty -- Appendixes: 1. The empathy quotient (EQ) -- Appendix: 2. How to spot zero degrees of empathy (negative).

A path-breaking autism researcher explores why some people lack empathy and what that absence means for the psychological understanding of evil.

"Borderline personality disorder, autism, narcissism, psychosis, Asperger's: All of these syndromes have one thing in common--lack of empathy. In some cases, this absence can be dangerous, but in others it can simply mean a different way of seeing the world. In The Science of Evil Simon Baron-Cohen, an award-winning British researcher who has investigated psychology and autism for decades, develops a new brain-based theory of human cruelty. A true psychologist, however, he examines social and environmental factors that can erode empathy, including neglect and abuse. Based largely on Baron-Cohen's own research, The Science of Evil will change the way we understand and treat human cruelty"--Provided by publisher.