Caring has a neural basis, in that mirror neurons enable brains to get a kind of direct
comprehension of the pain and emotions of others. Mirror neurons are neither necessary nor sufficient
for ethical evaluations, but they help enormously to enable children and even adults to appreciate the
experiences of others. Hence they provide a causal basis for empathy and moral motivation,
encouraging us to feel and care about the pain of others and to act so as to alleviate it. The capacity
for such caring is built into our neural circuitry, but needs to be fostered by moral education that can
lead us to care more about people beyond our immediate circles of acquaintance. Mirror neurons and
emotional contagion get us started on moral appreciation of the interests of others, but much
socialization is required to improve it. We need moral education to reinforce resistance to the
psychopathic suggestion that self-interest is the highest good.