[by Alan Brush]

A science of compassion: can there be such a thing? A new research center at Stanford Medical School will “employ the highest standards of scientific and contemplative inquiry” to answer this question. The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education has attracted support from the Dalai Lama and others, to investigate the neural, mental and social bases of compassion and altruistic behavior. Here’s a run-down, with video discussion by the Center’s directors.