The Righteous MindRecommendations
About the book
Reading "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt is a must for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of human morality and the underlying factors that shape our political divisions. Haidt, a social psychologist, uses engaging anecdotes and research findings to explore why people have differing moral perspectives and how these beliefs influence our behavior. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own values and opens up a dialogue about empathy and understanding. By breaking down the psychological mechanisms behind our judgments, Haidt offers practical insights that can enhance our interactions in an increasingly polarized world. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone curious about the human condition, this book will provide valuable perspectives that are both enlightening and transformative."The Righteous Mind" comes highly recommended by a diverse group of influential figures, including authors, educators, and media personalities, such as Reed Hastings and George R. R. Martin. This suggests that the book resonates well within intellectual and creative circles, appealing to those who are keen on understanding societal dynamics and moral psychology. The recommendations stem from a blend of thought leaders and entertainers, indicating that the themes explored in the book connect with both serious discourse and popular culture. This blend of perspectives underscores the relevance of Haidt's work in navigating modern moral landscapes.
Why can’t our political leaders work together as threats loom and problems mount? Why do people so readily assume the worst about the motives of their fellow citizens? In The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of our divisions and points the way forward to mutual understanding.
His starting point is moral intuition—the nearly instantaneous perceptions we all have about other people and the things they do. These intuitions feel like self-evident truths, making us righteously certain that those who see things differently are wrong. Haidt shows us how these intuitions differ across cultures, including the cultures of the political left and right. He blends his own research findings with those of anthropologists, historians, and other psychologists to draw a map of the moral domain. He then examines the origins of morality, overturning the view that evolution made us fundamentally selfish creatures. But rather than arguing that we are innately altruistic, he makes a more subtle claim—that we are fundamentally groupish. It is our groupishness, he explains, that leads to our greatest joys, our religious divisions, and our political affiliations. In a stunning final chapter on ideology and civility, Haidt shows what each side is right about, and why we need the insights of liberals, conservatives, and libertarians to flourish as a nation.
People recommending The Righteous Mind
What readers say about ‘The Righteous Mind’
Ann Miura-Ko on The Righteous Mind
"I love this book because it clarified for me a lot of things that I’ve been feeling for so long around."
A.J. Jacobs on The Righteous Mind
"All about trying to figure out the gap between the red and blue states – Republican and Democrat – and it’s really interesting."
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