Making Sense with Sam Harris #204 — A Conversation with Jonathan Haidt
May 18, 2020
Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist known for his insights on moral psychology and political polarization, joins Sam Harris for a thought-provoking discussion. They tackle the roots of American political division and the decline of public discourse, stressing the need for ideological diversity. Haidt also shares concerns about social media's impact on Generation Z's mental health and explores the potential for psychedelics and practices like meditation to enhance personal well-being and foster deeper connections in society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Political Polarization
- Political polarization in the US has intensified since the mid-20th century, driven by values-based coalitions.
- This sorting by values, exacerbated by media, makes compromise difficult and fuels animosity.
Information Silos
- Confirmation bias and siloed information consumption hinder productive conversations.
- The lack of universally trusted information sources makes resolving disagreements challenging.
Motivated Reasoning
- View people as social creatures engaged in competition, not just information seekers.
- Political and moral biases corrupt the search for truth, making humility crucial.
