Nothing says Christmas is coming like a conversation about dehumanization, moral fuzziness, and the evils of empathy! Moral psychologist Paul Bloom joins us for a fascinating conversation on the above — and even gives us a sneak peek of his new book (coming out next year). And, because this is Uncertain Things after all, there are some fun tangents on Trump, Hitler, and atheism, too.

Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, and Stitcher. Follow @UncertainPod on your social media of choice.

On the agenda:

* Suffering — and why we like it [6:12]

* On morals, atheists, and envy [19:48]

* Cognitive empathy and the future schools of Trump studies [30:51]

* The perils of emotional empathy [35:37]

* Journalism: a fundamentally immoral pursuit? [44:01]

* Stigma wanted [52:53]

* The Empathy defense [59:00]

* Inside the dehumanizer's mind [1:06:25]

* The objective objection [1:18:15]

* Moral fuzziness, clear polarization [1:28:58]

* Adam Smith, wise virgin [1:34:09]

Paul Bloom’s books Against Empathy and Just Babies are widely available and highly recommended. You can also follow him on Twitter: @PaulBloomAtYal.

Uncertain Things is hosted and produced by Adaam James Levin-Areddy and Vanessa. For more doomsday thoughts, subscribe to: uncertain.substack.com