Douglas Murray on Overcoming Tribalism, the Asymmetry of Wokeness, and the Rise of Victimhood | Ep. 55

This book, first published in 1841, is an early study of crowd psychology by Charles Mackay. It chronicles numerous instances of mass hysteria and popular delusions, including economic bubbles like the South Sea Bubble and Tulipomania, the Crusades, witch-hunts, and other peculiar follies. Mackay presents these examples to illustrate how easily the masses can be led astray by various delusions and how human folly remains a constant across different times and places. The book is divided into sections such as 'National Delusions,' 'Peculiar Follies,' and 'Philosophical Delusions,' and is known for its engaging and witty narrative style.

In 'Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion,' Paul Bloom challenges the conventional wisdom that empathy is a moral guide. He argues that empathy, defined as feeling what others feel, is a capricious and irrational emotion that can lead to poor decision-making and even cruelty. Bloom contends that empathy distorts our judgment in various aspects of life, from philanthropy and justice to medical care and education. He advocates for a more distanced compassion based on rational, deliberative reasoning and a utilitarian approach to moral decisions. The book is grounded in scientific findings and explores the limitations and biases of empathy, suggesting that clearer, fairer, and more moral decisions can be made without relying on it.

In this book, Douglas Murray investigates the dangers of 'woke' culture and the rise of identity politics. He examines the most controversial issues of the current era, including sexuality, gender, technology, and race, and critiques the Marxist foundations of modern social justice movements. Murray argues that modern attitudes towards these issues have been distorted by a sense of victimhood and the negative impact of political correctness. The book is divided into sections dealing with different forms of identity politics and includes interludes on the impact of technology and the need to relearn the ability to forgive in an increasingly online culture. Murray's work has received both praise and criticism, with some reviewers appreciating his bravery and others criticizing his approach as provocative and divisive.