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

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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.

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ANECDOTE

Schweder's Influence

Jonathan Haidt credits Richard Schweder as his biggest influence.
Schweder's iconoclastic thinking during Haidt's postdoc shaped his intellectual approach.

ADVICE

Schweder's Motto

Challenge assertions by exploring their opposite perspectives.
This fosters intellectual curiosity and independent thinking, leading to new insights.

INSIGHT

Cultural Nuance

Cultural practices should be understood within their context, even if offensive to outsiders.
Automatic condemnation hinders nuanced understanding and can lead to unjust consequences.

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The Happiness Hypothesis

Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Jonathan Haidt

In 'The Happiness Hypothesis,' Jonathan Haidt delves into the nature of happiness, fulfillment, and meaning. He discusses the division of the self into two parts: the primitive limbic system and the rational neocortex, using the metaphor of a rider and an elephant to explain the relationship between conscious and unconscious processes. Haidt examines 'Great Ideas' from ancient thinkers like Plato, Buddha, and Jesus, and evaluates them in light of contemporary psychological research. He argues that happiness is influenced by both internal and external factors, including biological set points, life conditions, and voluntary activities. The book also explores the importance of social relationships, the role of adversity in personal growth, and the concept of 'vital engagement' in work and life[2][3][5].

The Coddling of the American Mind

Jonathan Haidt

Greg Lukianoff

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The Righteous Mind

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Jonathan Haidt

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Tribe

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Sebastian Junger

In 'Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging', Sebastian Junger delves into the human desire for community and belonging. Drawing from history, psychology, and anthropology, Junger examines why many individuals, including combat veterans, often feel a stronger sense of belonging in tribal or wartime environments than in modern society. He argues that the lack of community in affluent societies can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, while disasters and wars can paradoxically bring people together and foster a sense of unity. The book challenges the notion that modern society is superior to tribal societies, highlighting the benefits of egalitarianism and community found in the latter. Junger also discusses how the absence of these communal bonds can affect veterans returning from war and suggests that societal changes could help reintegrate them and improve overall societal well-being.

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Dancing in the Streets

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The Moral Landscape

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Sam Harris

In this book, Sam Harris challenges the traditional separation between scientific facts and human values. He argues that morality can be understood in terms of human and animal well-being, and that science can provide objective answers to moral questions. Harris contends that moral relativism is false and that science can tell us how we ought to live to achieve the greatest well-being. He uses his expertise in philosophy and neuroscience to make a case for a science of morality, emphasizing that moral values should be grounded in empirical facts about what causes people to flourish.

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A.J. Jacobs

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The hero with a thousand faces

Joseph Campbell

In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures. He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon. Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.