Ending

After all the research I have done and deciding how I will go about writing my essay I think my conclusion should be that it is unclear whether fictions effects on society since the invention of the printing press have been positive or negative, fiction has allowed us to extend the reach of empathy and provided us with a code of values in the form of the  'just world hypothesis'.  At best these cause us to behave altruistically and be what is commonly perceived as a 'good person' and at worst act a coping mechanism for individuals to deal with the chaotic nature of modern life. A coping mechanism that brings comfort and morality through a skewed perception of society. On numerous occasions throughout history governments and cultural leaders have feared the influence of fiction enough to attempt to ban it entirely. One thing that that seems clear is that fiction has had and still does have a huge effect on individuals and society as a whole. Works of fiction that challenge the societal norms have preceded major shifts political policy and social reforms. It is not clear whether these works were start of the changes or a reaction to the shifting views of the time but it is clear they acted as a catalyst for change. ?

not for concliusion.

Empathy as a coping mechanism could be hugely beneficial to an individual without any apparent negative effects, the problem is that if empathy informs decision making then our decisions will stem from a biased view, one that causes individuals to value one life over another or even one life over a vast number of lives because of some perceived connection.