Empathy: The Human Superpower Musk Wants to Erase

Why Musk’s War on Empathy Threatens Our Humanity—and Our Future

Elon Musk has never shied away from provocative claims, but his recent assertion that empathy is “bad”, a “weakness,” and unnecessary might be his most perilous yet. Empathy isn’t just a sentimental notion or a new age catchphrase—it’s a hardwired function of the human brain, rooted in our prefrontal cortex, that drives decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, relationships, and collaboration. It’s not about agreeing with everyone; it’s about understanding where they’re coming from, building bridges, and finding common ground. Without it, we’re not just less human—we’re on a fast track to barbarism. Musk’s rejection of empathy isn’t merely biologically and sociologically flawed; it’s a call to dismantle what keeps us civilised. This isn’t the future we signed up for.

The Biology of Empathy: More Than a Feeling

Let’s start with the science. Empathy isn’t optional—it’s built into us. Neuroscientists have traced its roots to the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s hub for executive functioning. This region helps us weigh consequences, solve problems, and imagine others’ perspectives amongst many other things. It’s why we can collaborate on a rocket launch or comfort a friend. Research from institutions like the National Institutes of Health shows that when empathy circuits are impaired, people become impulsive, aggressive, and even violent. Why? Because empathy sits close to our capacity to regulate anger and aggression. It’s our handbrake on chaos.

Musk, a man who’s built empires on innovation, should recognise this. Creativity and teamwork—cornerstones of his companies—depend on empathy. Designing a car for real people or colonising Mars for a society requires understanding human needs, not just crunching numbers. To label empathy “bad” is to dismiss the biology that underpins his own success.

The Sociology of Empathy: Glue for a Fractured World

Zoom out from the brain, and empathy’s role becomes even clearer. Societies flourish when people can see beyond themselves. History proves this: cooperation, not ruthless competition, built cities, democracies, and trade. Empathy fosters trust, and trust drives progress. Sociologically, empathy is the glue that’s held societies together. Cooperation, not competition, built civilisation—cities, democracies, trade.

Émile Durkheim (1858–1917), a French sociologist widely regarded as one of the founding figures of modern sociology, saw shared understanding as the bedrock of community. He argued that societies are held together by a collective consciousness—a shared set of beliefs, values, and norms that bind individuals together. Empathy enables this shared understanding, allowing us to see beyond our own experiences and connect with others. Without it, we’re just groups of savages clawing at each other in a zero-sum game.

The proof is in business, too. A human-centred approach, where people listen, find common ground, and build consensus, requires empathy—and it works. When stakeholders feel heard, 74% are more likely to collaborate, 30% more likely to seal high-quality deals (Forbes), and customer-centric firms enjoy 25% more loyalty (Gallup). Musk’s own enterprises—SpaceX, Tesla— despite him, have thrived because people worked togehter collaborating side by side, not because he’s bypassed empathy. His anti-empathy stance contradicts the evidence of doing good business.

The Wealth Paradox: When Riches Erode Empathy

Australian political scientist Frank Mols, in his book The Wealth Paradox co-authored with Jolanda Jetten, offers a stark insight into why Musk might scorn empathy. Mols’ research shows that as wealth grows, empathy often shrinks. The richer you get, the less you need to rely on others for survival—and the meaner you can become. His studies reveal that affluent individuals are more likely to prioritise self-interest, judge harshly, and lose touch with what it means to be human. They cast judgement on those without their resources, seeing struggle as weakness rather than a shared condition. Staying connected, listening to, and helping others powers empathy—but when you stop listening and start dictating (sound familiar?), the rest of us become collateral damage.

Musk, with his billions, seems to embody this empathy bypass. His wealth insulates him from the interdependence most of us navigate daily. His DOGE decisions, like pushing for sweeping cuts and efficiency drives with little regard for the human cost, leave workers, families, and communities in the lurch. But he’s not alone—research into empathy deficits reveals a deeper problem.

The Empathy Void: A Dangerous Minority in Charge

Not everyone’s brain hums with empathy. Neuroscience shows that some individuals—due to genetics, trauma, or developmental quirks—lack a fully functioning empathy centre. Studies, like those from the University of Cambridge, estimate that about 1-2% of people exhibit traits of psychopathy, marked by low empathy, high self-interest, and a knack for manipulation. These aren’t just fictional villains; they’re real people, and unfortunately, some now lead our countries and companies. When empathy-free minds hold power, decisions prioritise profit or prestige over people—sound familiar again?

Musk’s rhetoric suggests he’s veering into this territory, whether by nature or nurture. His vision dazzles with tech, but it’s hollow without humanity. A leader with an empathy bypass doesn’t build a better world; they build a colder, more dangerous one.

A World Without Empathy: Welcome to Barbarism

Imagine Musk gets his way, and empathy is sidelined. Picture it: a world where no one pauses to understand, only to dominate. Your boss doesn’t care why you’re struggling—just sacks you. Neighbours hoard resources, indifferent to your hunger. Governments wage endless wars because “understanding the enemy” is nonsense. Creativity stalls—why innovate for others’ needs? Relationships crumble—why bother with compromise? Violence surges—without empathy’s brake, every slight becomes a fight to the death.

This isn’t exaggeration; it’s what happens when empathy fades. Look at fictional dystopias like George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, where a totalitarian regime crushes empathy under constant surveillance, propaganda, and fear. Citizens are reduced to tools of the state, stripped of individuality and connection—love is outlawed, trust is a death sentence. It’s a stark warning of a world Musk’s anti-empathy stance could usher in. He might thrive in this cold, calculated chaos, but most of us wouldn’t. And why should we? Humans evolved empathy for a reason: survival, not just of the fittest, but of the collective.

The Zero-Sum Lie

Musk’s stance reeks of the zero-sum gospel preached by those who’ve already won. “Empathy is weakness,” they say, because they don’t need it—they’ve got the cash, the clout, the control. But for the rest of us, empathy isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. The powerful can afford to ignore others’ pain; we can’t. Telling us to ditch empathy is telling us to surrender the tool that levels the playing field. It’s a con, and we shouldn’t fall for it.

Empathy in Practice: A Business Imperative

In my decades in business, I’ve seen the truth: those who lead and work with empathy are far more successful and profitable than those who don’t—barring monopoly giants who can say and do what they please. The rest of us, in the value chain of value chains, need each other. Empathy is the key. Just the other day, a client in the tech sector told me that learning to ask curious questions, listen better, and be more empathetic has opened doors to greater business opportunities and partnerships because when people feel heard and understood, they want to work with you. It’s not theory—it’s practice. When we lead with curiosity, empathy unlocks vistas into others’ worlds—a stranger’s story deepens yours, a colleague’s struggle sparks a breakthrough. We all rise.

Contrast that with Musk’s zero-sum lie: “Empathy is weakness,” a gospel for those with cash and control. For us, it’s a lifeline, a tool to level the field. Empathy isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a business one. Companies that prioritise empathy see higher employee engagement, stronger customer loyalty, and better financial performance. It’s not about being soft—it’s about being smart.

Fighting for More Empathy, Not Less

Empathy isn’t flawless or easy. It demands effort—attention, practice, intention—to stay connected. But that’s precisely why it’s worth fighting for. We need more of it, not less: more leaders who listen, more systems that care, more people who build bridges instead of burning them. When we practise empathy, the world becomes richer and more beautiful. Leading with curiosity, empathy opens doors into others’ worlds—suddenly, a stranger’s story deepens your own, a colleague’s struggle sparks a breakthrough, and a community’s pain inspires collective healing. We all rise when we weave this tapestry of connection.

Musk’s vision might gleam with technological brilliance, but it’s barren without humanity. We didn’t sign up for a cold, barbaric future where empathy is dismissed as a weakness or a “woke” indulgence. We signed up for a world where progress means connection, not conquest. Yes, empathy takes effort—attention, intention—but it’s a lifeline, not a luxury. It’s wired into us, not as a flaw, but as a feature essential to our survival and flourishing. Musk’s rejection of empathy is a dangerous detour, one that risks leaving us stranded in a world of division and indifference.

Let him dismiss it if he chooses. While he burns bridges, the rest of us will keep building more of them. Empathy is our way forward.

Onward We Press