One of the great problems that science educators face is overcoming false knowledge - things that people know that aren't true. Among the specific instances of this false knowledge is the conviction that certain characteristics "could not possibly have evolved."

Characters included are eyes, ability to use logic, morality, and so forth. In some cases, the mistake is one of basic science; in others, a flawed understanding of what evolution is and how it works. In others still they embed unjustified assumptions into their arguments.

Anyway, here's a nice paper on the evolution of empathy.

"The Evolution of Empathy" by Frans B. M. de Waal.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/archive/2005fallwinter/FallWinter0506_deWaal.pdf

Quoted on wiki:
"The possibility that empathy resides in parts of the brain so ancient that we share them with rats should give pause to anyone comparing politicians with those poor, underestimated creatures."