"A society dies when it cares more about exhibiting infinite tolerance and empathy than invoking its survival instinct," Saad argues in his book, Suicidal Empathy: Dying To Be Kind. Saad’s ideas have drawn frequent praise from prominent billionaires Bill Ackman and Elon Musk, who said suicidal empathy will "end civilization."
In Saad's book, empathy becomes suicidal when it's "misguided." He argues this is especially true among people who subscribe to progressive liberal ideologies and tend to show kindness to foreigners rather than to their own citizens.
“I'm not saying that empathy is bad. Empathy is actually a very important virtue to have,” Saad said on a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast. “The problem with empathy, like most things in life, is if there's too little or too much of it.”
"By recognizing their supposed existential privilege and thus destroying it from within, they can seek penance for their 'unearned' advantage," Saad writes.
He also dedicates a large portion of the book to immigration-friendly policies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, particularly those welcoming to Muslim immigrants, as prime examples of suicidal empathy. He cites several criminal cases in the U.K. in which Muslim suspects exploited young white girls, talking points that have been circulating among prominent conservative figures pushing for stricter immigration measures.
What is his solution to suicidal empathy?
According to Saad, the West should actively reject "empathy-based dopamine hit[s]" and stop being "empathetic fence sitters."
Saad also argues that people should start demanding reciprocity rather than asking for nothing in return, citing foreign aid that the U.S. and Canadian governments send to African countries as an example of suicidal empathy.
TIME has reached out to Saad for comment.
On X, Musk has repeatedly reposted and agreed with Saad’s idea of suicidal empathy. He has also weighed in on the kind of empathy needed in society. In an October 2024 interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk introduced the concepts of “shallow empathy” and “deep empathy.”
As the former head of DOGE, Musk significantly cut back on foreign aid programs and initiatives while also laying off hundreds of FEMA workers who had assisted with disaster relief and natural-catastrophe preparedness in the U.S., leaving the federal government hobbled in its ability to respond to humanitarian crises both at home and abroad.
Who is Gad Saad?
In 2020, Saad began attracting attention from right-wing media by departing from his specialty in evolutionary psychology and releasing The Parasitic Mind, a book that argues that certain "harmful ideas," such as cancel culture and political correctness, spread through society like parasites, and that a healthy society should allow open debate on ideas.
As a frequent guest at conservative outlets, Saad has also spoken at length about how his concept applies to broader cultural issues that right-wing personalities focus on, including what he sees as an assault on masculinity and the rise of antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Hence then, the article about what is suicidal empathy a new philosophy promoted by elon musk and bill ackman was published today ( ) and is available on Time ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What is Suicidal Empathy, a New Philosophy Promoted by Elon Musk and Bill Ackman? )
Also on site :