The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘How Disgust Explains Everything’
Jan 23, 2022
In this episode, Paul Rozin, an eminent psychologist renowned for his work on disgust, joins to explore the multifaceted nature of this powerful emotion. Together with journalist Molly Young, they unravel how disgust shapes our behavior, technology, and even political views. They dive into its evolutionary roots, its cultural significance, and how it plays a role in everything from personal hygiene to interpersonal relationships. With humor and historical context, they reveal disgust as both a primal instinct and a societal construct that reflects our morality.
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Disgust's Wide Influence
- Disgust, a universal emotion, influences various aspects of human behavior, from hygiene to politics.
- It's a complex emotion shaped by both biology and culture, impacting our technology, relationships, and even our political leanings.
The Colostomy Bag Date
- Paul Rozin and Virginia Valian's first date involved a misinterpreted down jacket bulge as a colostomy bag.
- This humorous anecdote highlights Rozin's focus on disgust.
Disgust Beyond Sensory Input
- Darwin's and others' observations highlight disgust's complexity beyond mere sensory input.
- Disgust involves psychological and cultural factors, extending to seemingly harmless things like a touch.
