Simon Baron-Cohen is a Cambridge University professor and one of the world’s leading cognitive neuroscientists. In this CEIA Exchange he shares his thinking on the explanation for human cruelty and reflects on the effect that a lack of empathy has on human behavior.

Martin Griffiths is Executive Director of the European Institute of Peace. In this CEIA Exchange he argues that the mediator who places an overemphasis on interests, diplomacy and negotiation misses an extraordinarily important part of the puzzle, and diminishes the chances of achieving peace. He makes the case for empathy as a critical but much neglected tool for acquiring an understanding of your friends, enemies and others.