#796 - Rob Kurzban - The Evolutionary Psychology Of Human Morality
Jun 13, 2024
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Rob Kurzban, a psychologist and author specializing in evolutionary psychology, dives into the intricate world of human morality. He challenges the universality of moral principles and reveals how motivations, culture, and personal circumstances influence our views, particularly on sensitive issues like abortion. Kurzban discusses the strategic nature of moral decisions and the role of reputation in moral evaluations. He also tackles the complexities of hypocrisy in society and the potential dark side of moral accusations, emphasizing the importance of wisdom to navigate our moral landscapes.
Morality is a side-choosing mechanism, with accusations leading individuals to align with accusers and avoid association with perceived wrongdoers.
Accusations of moral transgressions can be weaponized for personal gain, seen historically in events like the Salem witch trials to harm others.
Modern moral rules, like supporting the oppressed, reflect evolving complexity, posing challenges in navigating contemporary moral landscapes.
Expanding moral rules create decision fatigue and heightened expectations, leading to challenges in discerning optimal moral choices in a diversified societal framework.
Deep dives
Evolutionary Origins of Morality: Side-Choosing Mechanism
Humans are seen as cooperating in a unique fashion where individuals may switch sides, unlike non-human animals. Morality is perceived as a side-choosing mechanism, where accusations of wrongdoing lead individuals to be on the side of the accusers. This aligns with our innate desire to avoid being associated with perceived wrongdoers in conflicts.
Role of Morality as a Weapon: Accusations and Attacks
Morality is viewed as a weapon wielded through accusations of wrongdoing. Examples from history, like the Salem witch trials, showcase how moral judgments can be used maliciously to harm others. Accusations of moral transgressions function as attacks to benefit the accusers and shift perceptions against the accused.
Modern Moral Rules and Complexity
New modern moral rules, such as the posting of the black square or backing the oppressed, highlight the evolving complexity of morality. Identitarianism and the emphasis on supporting the oppressed reflect shifts in contemporary moral principles. The increasing nuances in moral standards create challenges in navigating today's moral landscape.
Impact of Increasing Complexity on Decision-Making
The expansion of moral rules and complexity introduces challenges akin to Barry Schwartz's 'Paradox of Choice', leading to decision fatigue and heightened expectations of personal responsibility. With the proliferation of information sources and diversified moral norms, individuals face difficulties in discerning the optimal moral choices in an evolving and intricate societal framework.
The Psychology of Information Seeking Behavior
People have a tendency to seek information that aligns with their existing beliefs, a phenomenon known as confirmation bias. This preference for reinforcing evidence over counterarguments can lead individuals to exist in narrow information ecosystems. The podcast explores why individuals often avoid seeking out contradictory perspectives, which may be linked to discomfort in challenging one's own beliefs or facing potential inconsistencies in their arguments.
Understanding Hypocrisy and Human Behavior
Hypocrisy, which involves professing moral principles while acting contrary to them, reveals insights into the complex nature of human behavior. The discussion delves into the concept that humans possess modular minds with distinct parts responsible for various functions, potentially leading to internal inconsistencies and moral conflicts. Hypocrisy serves as a window into the intricate architecture of the brain and highlights the challenges of maintaining integrity between moral beliefs and actions.
The Impact of Moral Attacks and Reputation in a Digital Age
In today's digital age, moral attacks and reputation damage can have significant real-world consequences due to the persistent and widespread nature of online content. The discussion raises concerns about the ease of spreading false information and the lasting impact such attacks can have on individuals. The podcast addresses the lack of accountability in online communication, emphasizing the need for individuals to exercise caution in sharing information and consider the potential repercussions on reputation and wellbeing.
What is morality? Why did it come about? Have humans always had it? Is it universal or temporary? Does it exist as a truth independent of humanity or is it entirely contingent on our culture?
Expect to learn the evolutionary psychology of abortion policy, where the evolution of morality came from, the best examples of modern moral rules you might not think about, the biggest issues with being a moral hypocrite, the role that reputation plays in judging someone’s morality, how wisdom can help us overcome our biological hardware and much more...
