New Enlightenment A Cultural Species with Joseph Henrich
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May 10, 2024 
In this discussion with Joseph Henrich, a Harvard professor and expert in human evolutionary biology, listeners dive into the fascinating ways culture shapes our psychology. They explore how radical interdisciplinarity can tackle complex social questions and trace the roots of individualism back to medieval Church policies. Henrich challenges the nature vs. nurture debate, highlighting cultural evolution's role in human behavior and preferences. He also previews his upcoming book on collective intelligence and its impact on innovation.
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Radical Interdisciplinarity Defined
- Radical interdisciplinarity means starting research from big questions, using tools from multiple disciplines.
- University departments could be organized by questions, not disciplines, to better address complex problems.
Interdisciplinary Team Experience
- Henrich and his advisor funded a project combining anthropologists and behavioral economists for field experiments with deep cultural context.
- This interdisciplinary team approach led to better data and ongoing collaborations bridging social science gaps.
Foster Productive Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- To foster interdisciplinary work, join diverse conferences, network broadly, and seek collaborators open to blending methods.
- Don’t expect everyone to embrace other disciplines; find those who respect different approaches and start there.
