In this insightful discussion, Steven Sloman, a cognitive sciences professor at Brown University and author of 'The Cost of Conviction,' explores how our values shape decision-making. He contrasts consequentialism with sacred values, highlighting how misapplied beliefs often fuel social polarization. Sloman discusses the interplay of emotions, the impact of heuristics on moral judgments, and the ethical complexities surrounding issues like the death penalty and transgender rights. His insights challenge listeners to rethink their approach to ethics and decision-making.
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Moral Decisions in Sacred Values
Vignette one shows giving money to a hungry child's meal plan is a sacred value decision.
Vignette two shows competing sacred values, requiring deliberation between two needy cases.
insights INSIGHT
Two Strategies for Decision Making
People use two decision strategies: consequentialism and sacred values.
Sacred values simplify decisions but can cause polarization when overused.
insights INSIGHT
Sacred Values Heighten Polarization
Sacred values dominate political discourse causing oversimplification and conflict.
Consequentialist political reasoning is diminishing, worsening polarization.
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In 'The Cost of Conviction', Steven Sloman explores how our deepest values can lead us astray in decision-making. He contrasts consequentialism, where decisions are based on outcomes, with sacred values, where decisions are based on principles. Sloman argues that over-reliance on sacred values can result in oversimplification and social polarization. The book draws from historical and current examples to illustrate the impact of these decision-making strategies. By understanding the psychology of decision-making, the author suggests we can better navigate complex issues.
Not born yesterday
United States. Congress. Senate. Special Committee on Aging.
A conflict of visions
Thomas Sowell
In this book, Thomas Sowell explores the fundamental differences in visions of human nature that underlie many political and ideological disputes. He identifies two primary visions: the 'constrained' vision, which sees human nature as inherently self-centered and limited by systemic processes, and the 'unconstrained' vision, which views human nature as malleable and perfectible through societal intervention. Sowell argues that these visions shape opinions on a wide range of issues, from justice and equality to power and social institutions. The book blends history, economics, philosophy, and law to provide a comprehensive understanding of these conflicting visions and their implications for political thought and action.
The Book of Why
The New Science of Cause and Effect
Mel Foster
Dana Mackenzie Judea Pearl
Dana Mackenzie
Judea Pearl
In 'The Book of Why', Judea Pearl and Dana Mackenzie delve into the causal revolution, which has transformed the way we distinguish between correlation and causation. The book introduces causal diagrams, such as Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), and explains how to predict the effects of interventions. It addresses fundamental questions about causality and its implications in fields like medicine, economics, and artificial intelligence. The authors also discuss the potential of causal inference in enabling computers to understand counterfactuals and engage in moral decision-making[2][4][5].
Causality
Models, Reasoning, and Inference
Judea Pearl
This book provides a detailed analysis of causality, transforming it from a nebulous concept into a mathematical theory. It applies to various fields such as statistics, artificial intelligence, economics, philosophy, cognitive science, and the health and social sciences. Judea Pearl presents simple mathematical tools for studying causal connections and statistical associations, making it a valuable resource for students and professionals in multiple disciplines. The book has led to a paradigmatic change in how causality is treated in several scientific fields and has been cited in over 5,000 scientific publications.
Public Opinion
Stefano di Lorenzo
Walter Lippmann
In 'Public Opinion', Walter Lippmann explores the nature of public opinion, how it is formed, and its influence on democratic processes. Published in 1922, the book critiques the ideal of direct democracy and argues that the public's perceptions are often shaped by incomplete and inaccurate information. Lippmann discusses the role of media, stereotypes, and other factors in shaping public opinion, highlighting the challenges in achieving informed and rational public discourse.
The Knowledge Illusion
Stephen Sloman and Phil Fernbach
When you are faced with a decision, do you consider the best outcome, or do you consider your deepest values about which actions are appropriate? Steven Sloman contrasts these two primary strategies for making decisions: consequentialism or prioritizing one’s sacred values. He argues that, while both modes of decision making are necessary tools for a good decision maker, people err by deploying sacred values more often than they should, especially when it comes to sociopolitical issues. As a result, we oversimplify, grow disgusted and angry, and act in ways that contribute to social polarization.
Drawing on historical and current examples of the two decision-making strategies in action, Sloman provides a thorough overview of the psychology of decision making, including work on judgment, conscious and unconscious decision-making processes, the roles of emotion, and even an analysis of habit and addiction.
Steven Sloman has taught at Brown University since 1992. He is the author of Causal Models and a coauthor of The Knowledge Illusion (with Phil Fernbach). His new book is The Cost of Conviction: How Our Deepest Values Lead Us Astray.
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