Positive psychology must address the full range of human experience, both the highs and the lows. Otherwise, it will not be as effective as it could be in promoting human flourishing.
For example, how we handle suffering in ourselves and others is a crucial factor in individual coping and well-being, and in making a world in which humanity and nature can thrive. To do this, we need compassion – which involves being motivated to address and relieve the suffering of others and ourselves and to try to change the causes of suffering.
Chaired by Rick Hanson, in this panel, Tania Singer will discuss the neurobiology of empathy and compassion and its trainability; James Kirby will summarize a "case for compassion" in terms of its psychosocial and therapeutic benefits; and Mamphela Ramphele will explore compassionate action to change structural systems that cause much preventable suffering. We anticipate a rich and provocative discussion, with applications for clinicians, teachers, and policymakers.