The essay 'How and How Not to Love Mankind' by Theodore Dalrymple explores the contrasting views of humanity by two authors, Ivan Turgenev and Karl Marx, highlighting how both shared a similar background yet differed fundamentally in their perceptions of individuals versus social classes. Dalrymple argues that Turgenev embodies compassion and warmth towards mankind, while Marx prioritizes systems over human emotions. The author emphasizes that genuine concern for humanity is often misrepresented and critiques how societal actions can claim to be for the welfare of humanity while lacking true compassion.