What Is Suicidal Empathy, a New Philosophy Endorsed by Elon Musk and Bill Ackman?

(SeaPRwire) –   Can empathy be excessive? This concept is gaining traction among some of the world’s wealthiest individuals, following the publication of a new book by Gad Saad, a Canadian marketing professor known for his vocal opposition to liberal policies.

“A society perishes when it prioritizes the display of boundless tolerance and empathy over its own survival instinct,” Saad contends in his work, Suicidal Empathy: Dying To Be Kind. His perspectives have received significant endorsement from high-profile billionaires like Bill Ackman and Elon Musk, the latter of whom warned that suicidal empathy could “end civilization.”

The concept is also tied to the preservation of Western civilization, which Saad characterizes as being in a state of “rapid decline” due to various factors, including open-border immigration policies under the Biden and Trudeau administrations, DEI initiatives, lenient criminal justice policies, transgender activism, and Canada’s universal healthcare system.

What exactly is suicidal empathy?

In his book, Saad defines empathy as “suicidal” when it becomes “misguided.” He argues this is particularly prevalent among those who follow progressive liberal ideologies, who he claims prioritize kindness toward foreigners over the well-being of their own citizens.

He clarifies that he is not opposed to empathy as a concept.

“I’m not suggesting empathy is inherently bad. It is a vital virtue,” Saad remarked during a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. “The issue with empathy, like most things, arises when there is either too little or too much of it.”

Saad notes that he did not approach the study of suicidal empathy from a social psychological framework, stating that academic literature on the subject “makes fine distinctions that are unnecessary for our current discussion.” Instead, he relies on anecdotal evidence to argue that this phenomenon is driven by a Western elite who believe the West is inherently guilty of colonialism and racism.

“By acknowledging their perceived existential privilege and seeking to dismantle it from within, they attempt to atone for their ‘unearned’ advantages,” Saad writes.

Saad further suggests that women are especially prone to suicidal empathy, a tendency he claims leads to men being labeled as “sexist” or suffering from “toxic masculinity” when they attempt to protect women from harm.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to immigration policies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe—specifically those welcoming to Muslim immigrants—which he presents as primary examples of suicidal empathy. He references specific criminal cases in the U.K. involving Muslim suspects and young white girls, echoing arguments frequently used by conservative figures advocating for more restrictive immigration controls.

“To the West, I say, take pride in your heritage and defend it at all costs from its declared enemies,” Saad stated.

What is his solution to suicidal empathy?

Saad argues that the West must reject “empathy-based dopamine hits” and cease being “empathetic fence sitters.”

“There is nothing more existentially empathetic than the steadfast defense of the truth,” he writes.

Saad also advocates for a shift toward demanding reciprocity rather than offering unconditional support, citing foreign aid provided by the U.S. and Canadian governments to African nations as an example of suicidal empathy.

Additionally, he commends Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for its efforts to root out “a staggering amount of corruption, waste, and fraud.”

TIME has requested comment from Saad.

Elon Musk and other billionaires support the theory

The term “suicidal empathy” is gaining momentum within American right-wing circles and among billionaires such as Marc Andreessen, Bill Ackman, and Elon Musk. Musk, in particular, has long supported Saad’s views. In March 2024, prior to launching the America Super PAC and endorsing Trump, Saad mentioned on the Piers Morgan show that he and Musk were “good friends” who communicated regularly.

On X, Musk has frequently shared and expressed agreement with Saad’s theory. He has also offered his own perspective on the types of empathy needed in society. During an October 2024 interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk distinguished between “shallow empathy” and “deep empathy.”

“What I observe is what I call shallow empathy. People feel empathy for the criminals, but not for the victims of those crimes,” Musk stated. “I believe one should exercise deep empathy and consider what is the greater good for society.”

As the former leader of DOGE, Musk oversaw significant reductions in foreign aid and other initiatives, while also laying off hundreds of FEMA employees responsible for disaster relief and preparedness, which critics argue has weakened the federal government’s capacity to address humanitarian crises domestically and internationally.

Who is Gad Saad?

Saad is a Jewish immigrant born in Lebanon who moved to Canada as a child. A marketing professor at Concordia University, he holds a master’s degree in management and a doctorate in marketing from Cornell University.

In 2020, Saad gained prominence in right-wing media by moving away from his focus on evolutionary psychology to publish The Parasitic Mind. In that book, he argued that “harmful ideas,” such as political correctness and cancel culture, function like parasites within society and that a healthy culture must permit open debate.

As a frequent guest on conservative platforms, Saad has discussed how his theories apply to broader cultural issues favored by right-wing commentators, including what he perceives as an attack on masculinity and the rise of antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.