327 - The Trolley Solution - Joshua Greene

In 'How Minds Change,' David McRaney delves into the latest research from psychologists and neuroscientists to explain why people believe what they do and how those beliefs can change. The book examines various methods such as deep canvassing and social epistemology, and features stories of individuals who have dramatically changed their minds, including a former 9/11 conspiracy theorist and a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. McRaney emphasizes the importance of empathetic conversations over debates and provides practical advice on how to influence others by focusing on their personal experiences rather than presenting facts alone.

In 'The Expanding Circle', Peter Singer integrates insights from sociobiology and ethics to argue that human altruism, initially driven by genetic instincts to protect kin and community, has evolved into a consciously chosen ethic with an expanding circle of moral concern. Singer contends that our capacity for reason allows us to extend moral consideration beyond biological and social groups to include all beings capable of feeling pleasure or pain. The book discusses the relationship between reason, ethics, and the biological basis of human behavior, and it includes a new afterword in the 2011 edition that reflects on recent research in the field.

In this book, Damasio argues that emotions are essential to rational thinking and normal social behavior. He challenges René Descartes' mind-body dualism by presenting case studies, particularly the famous case of Phineas Gage, to demonstrate how brain damage can affect decision-making and personality. Damasio introduces the 'somatic marker hypothesis,' which posits that emotions guide behavior and decision-making, and that rationality requires emotional input. The book is divided into three parts, exploring case studies, explanations for the effects of brain injuries, and testing the somatic marker hypothesis.

Joshua Greene's 'Moral Tribes' delves into the complexities of human morality, arguing that our brains evolved for cooperation within groups, but struggle with intergroup relations. The book introduces the concept of 'deep pragmatism' as a metamorality to foster cooperation between groups with conflicting moral intuitions. Greene uses the analogy of 'thinking fast and slow' to differentiate between intuitive moral judgments and detached moral reasoning. He suggests that utilitarianism, or 'deep pragmatism,' can serve as a common currency for making trade-offs among competing values and interests. By understanding our evolved moral psychology, Greene proposes ways to bridge divides and promote cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.