Most of us want to make a difference. We donate our time and money to charities and causes we deem worthy, choose careers we consider meaningful, and patronize businesses and buy products we believe make the world a better place. Unfortunately, we often base these decisions on assumptions and emotions rather than facts. As a result, even our best intentions often lead to ineffective-and sometimes downright harmful-outcomes. How can we do better? ...

"One of the most stunning achievements of moral philosophy is something we take for granted: moral universalism, or the idea that every human has equal moral worth. In What We Owe the Future, Oxford philosopher William MacAskill demands that we go a step further, arguing that people not only have equal moral worth no matter where or how they live, but also no matter when they live. This idea has implications beyond the obvious (climate change) - including...

This is the powerful story of the author's struggle with multiple sclerosis and how a healer's unusual prescription of mindful altruism--to "give away 29 gifts in 29 days"--ignited her energy, her happiness, and invited more abundance into her life.

"There's a type of person out there who is better at helping others than they are at looking after themselves. Maybe you're one of them. Maybe you know someone who is. They are the backbone of the caring professions, giving strength to our schools, clinics, care homes and hospitals. But you will also find them in offices, gyms, community groups and charities – everywhere you look. There's usually one in every family. But these people, who do so...

"Now and then, we hear about everyday heroes riding to the rescue when they see someone suffering or being harassed. But most bystanders don't intervene. Catherine Sanderson turns to cutting-edge research in social psychology and neuroscience to explain why we so often fail to act and offers practical strategies to nudge us into being brave"--

"Simone de Lima is a biologist and a retired professor of Developmental Psychology at the Universidade de Bras�ilia. Brazil, where her work focused on innovative education and disability. She's been involved in different forms of activism since her teens, from student organizing against the Brazilian dictatorship to doing feminist, environmental, children's and animal rights work. She co-founded Brasilia's first animal advocacy organization, as...

The author relates how a chance encounter in a magic shop with a woman who taught him exercises to ease his sufferings and manifest his greatest desires gave him a glimpse of the relationship between the brain and the heart, and drove him to explore the neuroscience of compassion and altruism.

"A pair of doctors team up to illuminate, through neuroscience and captivating stories from their clinical practice, how serving others-and pitching in to the world in general-is a secret superpower. If a doctor's prescription could bring you: - Longer life - Better health - More energy and resilience - Less burnout, depression and anxiety - More happiness, fulfillment and well-being - More personal and professional success (including higher income)...