Social violence is a serious problem in Latin America, an assertion that is thoroughly supported by statistics that identify Latin America as one of the most violent regions in the world (?Searching for Solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean? 20). These violent statistics explored in the very first chapter set the stage for this proposal by establishing its dire purpose. Formative historical legacies are central to social development, and they can provide the root causes and resentments that spur such social violence. There are a few that are common to the area of Latin America as a whole, such as the colonial experience and the slave trade, and these are examined alongside legacies of key leaders and educators that have shaped the face of the region and produced both pillars of hope and some of the greatest obstacles to social change. Understanding the root causes of violence and the formidable obstacles against effecting social change are key elements in designing and instituting a solution to this problem. Within this solution, education is a universally valid channel that, if given the necessary resources and personnel, could affect the lives of the majority of citizens. Combining the ideas of Martin L. Hoffman on the effect of inductive discipline encounters on children through character education, education becomes a powerful tool for creating not only more intelligent and autonomous citizens, but more empathic ones more attuned to an ?ethic of care.? While such a proposal certainly offers no guarantees and its successful institution would need to co-exist with other much needed social, political and economic reforms, it is presented as an innovative and experimental solution to a pressing problem taking a toll on the social and economic capital of societies in the region; a toll that is not easily ignored, particularly those for whom violence is an every day reality.

Με τον όρο «ενσυναίσθηση», ο Hoffman εννοεί την ικανότητα του ανθρώπου να κατανοεί τα συναισθήματα των άλλων και σε μια δεδομένη στιγμή να βιώνει την ίδια συναισθηματική κατάσταση με ένα άλλο πρόσωπο το οποίο πάσχει. Ο ίδιος επικεντρώνει το ενδιαφέρον του ιδιαίτερα στα κίνητρα και τα συναισθήματα της ηθικής συμπεριφοράς. Υποστηρίζει ότι υπάρχει στον άνθρωπο εγγενής προδιάθεση να συμπάσχει με το συνάνθρωπο και να επιθυμεί να προσφέρει τη βοήθειά του. Τόσο η «ενσυναίσθηση» όσο και η «ενοχή» λειτουργούν ως ηθικά κίνητρα στη συμπεριφορά του ανθρώπου και τον προδιαθέτουν στο να επιδιώκει το καλό για το συνάνθρωπο και να αποφεύγει εκείνο που βλάπτει τους άλλους. / By the term "empathy", the Hoffman means the human ability to understand the emotions of others and at a given time to experience the same emotional state with another person who is suffering. He focuses particularly on the motives and feelings of moral behavior. He argues that there is an inherent tendency in man to empathize with our fellow man and wishes to offer his help. Both the "empathy" and the "guilt" as a moral act motivated human behavior and predispose to seek the good of our fellow man, and to avoid what harms others.