Behavioral Grooves Podcast The Hidden Cost of Your Values | Steve Sloman
Sep 15, 2025
Cognitive scientist Steve Sloman, author of The Cost of Conviction, delves into how our sacred values shape our decisions and fuel polarization. He reveals that many of our beliefs are borrowed from our communities rather than individually constructed. The discussion highlights the sacred value trap and how reframing conversations can lead to more productive dialogues. Steve explores the contrast between sacred values and consequentialism, emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics in politics, business, and personal relationships.
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Convictions Are Socially Borrowed
- Convictions are largely social rather than purely individual.
- People inherit beliefs from their communities and treat them as identity markers.
Origins Of 'Zealot' From Masada
- Sloman recounts the Zealots at Masada who fought the Romans and committed ritual suicide.
- This historical example explains how 'zealot' became linked to dying for a cause.
Two Ways People Decide
- People use two decision strategies: consequentialism and sacred values.
- Sacred values guide actions absolutely, while consequentialism weighs outcomes and trade-offs.
