Respected psychologist and author Paul Bloom joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss Freud's legacy, in-group and out-group thinking, cognitive dissonance, taboo topics and freedom of speech, intelligence and political leanings, and the relationship between language and thought.
Political orientation is influenced by a combination of personality traits, cultural context, and societal institutions rather than solely determined by genetics.
Personality traits vary within individuals, and political beliefs are shaped by multiple factors beyond innate personality traits.
While language does influence certain aspects of cognition, the impact is not solely determined by language itself but also influenced by cultural and contextual factors.
Deep dives
The Influence of Taboos and Context on Political Orientation
The podcast discusses the influence of taboos and context on political orientation. It explores how different factors, such as living in urban or rural areas, can shape individuals' conservative or liberal tendencies. The conversation emphasizes that political orientation is not solely determined by genetics, but rather influenced by a combination of personality traits, cultural context, and societal institutions. The idea of innate political wiring is explored, with the understanding that while certain personality traits may have a genetic basis, the cultural and environmental factors play a significant role in shaping political beliefs.
Conservatism, Liberalism, and Personality Traits
The episode highlights the connection between personality traits and political orientation. It mentions that liberals tend to be more open to new experiences, while conservatives tend to be more conscientious. However, it emphasizes that these differences should not be seen as absolute or exclusive to either political group. Instead, it is acknowledged that personality traits can vary within individuals, and that political beliefs are shaped by a multitude of factors beyond just innate personality traits.
Language, Thinking, and the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that language influences thought processes and cognition, is briefly discussed in the podcast episode. The controversial nature of the hypothesis is acknowledged, and it is pointed out that while language does influence certain aspects of cognition, the differences observed in laboratory tests are often minimal and do not have significant practical implications. The notion of how different languages may shape color perception, time concepts, and motion is also mentioned, although it is noted that the impact of language on cognition is not solely determined by language itself but is influenced by cultural and contextual factors as well.
The Importance of Good Manners and Taboos
Good manners and taboos play a crucial role in societal peace, respect, and showing consideration for one another. They help create a harmonious environment by promoting polite behavior and discouraging offensive or controversial topics. While it is essential to have open conversations and debates, it is also important to approach sensitive subjects with care and consider the impact of publicizing them.
The Challenges of Drawing Lines and Offering Pluralism
Drawing lines and making distinctions in society can be challenging. While private institutions like universities have the freedom to establish their own rules and boundaries, it is important to maintain a balance. Allowing universities to draw certain lines can lead to potential misuse of power, where restrictions on one topic could expand to restrict discussions on other important issues. The idea of pluralism suggests that different institutions can have slightly different rules and values as part of a diverse and liberal society, but it is crucial to avoid partisan line-drawing and promote dialogue that respects different perspectives.
Jonah’s in full fanboy mode on today’s long-anticipated Remnant. His guest is Paul Bloom—respected psychologist, prolific author, and noted body double for Al Gore and soundalike for Donald Sutherland—who’s back on the program at last to answer all of Jonah’s burning questions about human behavior and the mind. How should we feel about Freud? Who should decide what issues are taboo? And are people born with an innate political orientation? Viking babies and sci-fi aficionados alike will find much to appreciate.