Age of rage: the psychology behind our moral outrage

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.

In 'Outraged,' Kurt Gray presents groundbreaking research showing that liberals and conservatives share the same moral mind, with moral judgments stemming from feelings of threat or vulnerability to harm. Gray argues against the 'destruction narrative' and explains how early human instincts and modern social media contribute to moral outrage. He offers practical insights and tools for understanding and bridging the gaps between different moral worldviews, promoting more peaceful interactions in polarized times.