I say "in varying degrees" because there are obviously those amongst us whose abilities to empathize are impaired, even if not to the same degree as autistics. And this brings us back to the week's news.

If man's inhumanity to man is a reflection of his mirror neurons and a somehow impaired ability to empathize, there may still be hope for change. Neuroscientists now know that the brain is capable of developing new neurons at any age--a process known as "neurogenesis." But the brain's plasticity is notable even in the absence of neurogenesis. Jeffrey Schwartz of UCLA, for example, has had considerable success in treating OCD patients by establishing new patterns of behavior to replace old ones, thereby creating new connections between existing neurons.

Does this mean "old dogs" can be taught "new tricks"? Could new patterns of moral behavior encourage the development of new neurons, even of new "mirror" neurons? Can we build on our basic "moral sense," become more "empathic," thereby reducing instances of man's inhumanity to man? If so, maybe it's time to think about which new behaviors might best replace the old. If not--we should simply resign ourselves to the status quo and ignore whatever feelings of disgust may be awakened by the inevitable headlines on CNN.

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