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Conversations with Tyler

Paul Bloom on the Psychology of Children, and the Morality of Empathy and Disgust

Aug 7, 2024
59:13
Snipd AI
Paul Bloom, a renowned psychologist and writer, dives into the moral psychology of children and the fascinating intricacies of empathy and disgust. He discusses how babies can intuitively judge character and explores the development of morality in young minds. Bloom delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding the value of lives—human versus animal—and the potential biases of AI influenced by emotions. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the balance between rationality and emotion in our decisions and the societal implications that arise from these complex dynamics.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Psychologists like Paul Bloom acknowledge that their expertise does not uniquely equip them to interpret everyday human interactions compared to non-psychologists.
  • Research reveals that children possess innate moral awareness, enabling them to discern helpfulness and harmfulness from an early age, challenging the blank slate theory.

Deep dives

Understanding Human Nature in Psychology

Psychologists, including Paul Bloom, emphasize that their expertise does not necessarily grant them greater intuitive understanding of human behavior than non-psychologists. Unlike fields such as economics, psychology often does not translate into everyday insights into personal interactions. Bloom notes that while psychologists might understand specific domains like memory or mental disorders better, they do not possess a mystical ability to decipher people's thoughts and intentions in social situations. This limitation reflects a broader challenge within psychology, which is the application of academic knowledge to everyday interpersonal dynamics.

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