The Tim Ferriss Show

#644: Jonathan Haidt — The Coddling of the American Mind, How to Become Intellectually Antifragile, and How to Lose Anger by Studying Morality

Dec 21, 2022

In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist from NYU, dives into the nuances of morality and the influence of social media on teen mental health. He shares personal anecdotes illustrating his transformative experiences studying cultural morality in India. Haidt critiques ideologies in academia and promotes the idea of intellectual anti-fragility. The discussion also explores the importance of resilience for Generation Z and the interplay of happiness and religious engagement, providing valuable insights for navigating today's complex social landscape.

02:05:57

Episode guests

Jonathan Haidt

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Quick takeaways

The shift in social media platforms from connecting people to rewarding viral and explosive content has affected discourse and engagement, leading to an erosion of shared understanding and truth.

Creating a counterbalance within academia by promoting open dialogue, critical thinking, and intellectual diversity can help challenge echo chambers and restore the pursuit of knowledge as a primary focus.

Reassessing the current norms and incentives of technological platforms, such as implementing features that promote healthy conversations and prioritize accuracy, can mitigate polarization and deterioration of shared truths.

The importance of intellectual diversity in institutions, such as universities, is emphasized, encouraging individuals to seek out opposing perspectives and engage in constructive dialogue for personal growth.

Deep dives

The Influence of Social Media on the Decline of Traditional Institutions

The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have changed the nature of communication and connection, leading to a shift in the dynamics of democratic and epistemic institutions. These platforms transformed from simply connecting people to becoming performance-driven, where viral and explosive content is rewarded with fame and prestige. This shift in nature has had a profound impact on discourse and the way people engage with each other. Additionally, features like threaded comments have fueled aggression and polarization, leading to an erosion of shared understanding and truth. This decline of traditional institutions has affected academia, journalism, and other epistemic disciplines alongside democratic processes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in addressing the issue and finding ways to redirect the current trajectory.

The Fall of the Tower of Babel

03:24

NYU Course: Work, Wisdom & Happiness

03:36

The Pre-Teen Years: A Time of Transition 2

01:20

Haidt’s billboard: zen and joseph campbell

02:07

Intro

5min

Exploring the Foundations of Morality and Personal Influence

2min

Influence of Schweder: A Journey of Intellectual Growth

4min

Understanding Morality Through Experience

27min

Cultural Connections and Reflections on Identity

3min

Exploring Jewish Identity and Cultural Complexity

14min

Navigating Ideological Pressures in Academia

28min

Creating an Online Resource Hub for Academic Materials

2min

Unpacking Happiness: Religion, Generation Z, and Resilience

21min

10.

Fostering Intellectual Anti-Fragility Through Diverse Perspectives

4min

11.

Philosophical Insights for Chaos

8min

12.

Closing Reflections and Resources

9min

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Jonathan Haidt (@jonhaidt) is a social psychologist at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Jonathan received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. His research examines the intuitive foundations of morality and how morality varies across cultural and political divisions. He is the author of The Happiness Hypothesis and the New York Times bestsellers The Righteous Mind and The Coddling of the American Mind (with Greg Lukianoff).

He has given four TED Talks, and in 2019 he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Since 2018 Jonathan has been studying the contributions of social media to the decline of teen mental health and the rise of political dysfunction. He is currently writing two books: Kids in Space: Why Teen Mental Health Is Collapsingand Life after Babel: Adapting to a World We Can No Longer Share.

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[06:51] Richard Shweder.

[08:59] Making sense of assertions in anthropology.

[13:50] Why I invited Jon on the show.

[15:05] Moral relativism.

[21:24] How an emergentist views human rights violations.

[23:58] A turning point: why Jon almost never gets angry anymore.

[26:35] Taking LSD for the first time.

[32:21] My own transformative experience was happening simultaneously.

[34:15] Were my politics influenced or altered by this experience?

[40:17] What being a Jewish atheist means to Jon.

[45:13] From feud to friendship with Sam Harris.

[50:19] Complex dynamical system.