The Economics of Empathy: Cultural Roots of Altruism in China

This thesis explores the complex and multifaceted construct of empathy and its influence on prosocial behavior, with a particular focus on Chinese culture and society. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience, the research examines how empathy—both affective and cognitive—is shaped by cultural values and social norms, especially in a country where these are particularly strong. Emphasizing the collectivist nature of Chinese culture, the study analyzes how traditional ideologies such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism continue to influence emotional expression and altruistic conduct in contemporary China, without, however, altering Chinese capability of perceiving and showing empathy. Through a combination of literature review and empirical research, the study evaluates empathy levels and altruistic tendencies among Chinese individuals using tools like the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and economic games. Results confirm the complex interplay between cultural context, emotional regulation, and prosocial motivation, highlighting the limitations of Western-centric models of empathy. By integrating cross-cultural perspectives, the present study proves the necessity of considering sociocultural factors when researching human behavior and contributes to a more comprehensive, global understanding of empathy.