James Garbarino presents lessons learned from his twenty plus years as a psychological expert witness in murder cases. Understanding the victims of violent crimes and the survivors is relatively easy for any decent human being. It is easy to include the survivors in the circle of caring of the community. However, what about understanding the killer?

Garbarino succeeds almost beyond measure in being a voice for killers. They get a hearing. It is not always easy to listen to – but the humanity is there in a way that needs to be heard. No one is saying that some of these individuals should get out of prison – many are so damaged that it would make no sense and be a risk. However, in other instances, the conversation may be necessary. Our thanks to Jim for the contribution and for the journey, still underway. Garbarino listens to killers and bears witness to humanity in its many struggling and estranged forms. Empathy is no rumor in the work Jim Garbarino is doing – and we acknowledge his. Shift your listening - expand your empathy - check out this podcast!

See original blog post: https://empathyinthecontextofphilosophy.com/2016/05/20/listening-to-killers-by-james-garbarino-an-interview-with-lou-agosta-2/

(c) Lou Agosta, PhD and the Chicago Empathy Project