I agree, but I suspect that many people do not. Consider such all too common behaviors as war, religious and ethnic prejudice, and fans of one football team who insult and abuse fans of the opposing...

I agree, but I suspect that many people do not. Consider such all too common behaviors as war, religious and ethnic prejudice, and fans of one football team who insult and abuse fans of the opposing team. Are there societal infl uences that make it more diffi cult for us to develop compassion for humanity by strengthening our ties to specifi c groups?