Kurt Gray, a professor at the University of North Carolina and author of "Outraged," dives into the psychology of moral outrage. He examines why topics like abortion and gun control ignite intense feelings, exploring our instinct to prevent harm. Gray discusses the role of storytelling in political dialogues, emphasizing how personal narratives can bridge divides. He offers insights on transforming heated debates into understanding through mutual respect, ultimately suggesting that recognizing our shared humanity can lead to more productive conversations.

Kurt Gray, a psychology and neuroscience professor at UNC Chapel Hill, dives into the fascinating world of moral psychology. He challenges the notion that liberals and conservatives have entirely opposing moral frameworks, revealing that everyone's judgments come from feelings of vulnerability. Gray discusses how perceptions of who the 'real' victim is can ignite moral outrage in various contexts. He also explores the evolution of human emotions like guilt and anger and emphasizes the importance of empathy in political discussions to foster understanding.

“And then you're like, actually, I can't know what it's like to be a bat—again, the problem of other minds, right? There's this fundamental divide between a human mind and a bat, but at least a bat's a mammal. What is it like to be an AI? I have no idea. So I think [mind perception] could make us less sympathetic to them in some sense because it's—I don't know, they're a circuit board, there are these algorithms, and so who knows? I can subjugate them now under the heel of human desire because they're not like me.”Kurt GrayWhat is mind perception? What do we know about mind perception of AI/robots? Why do people like to use AI for some decisions but not moral decisions? Why would people rather give up hundreds of hospital beds than let AI make moral decisions?Kurt Gray is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. He studies morality, politics, religion, perceptions of AI, and how best to bridge divides.Topics discussed in the episode:Introduction (0:00)How did a geophysicist come to be doing social psychology? (0:51)What do the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding do? (3:11)What is mind perception? (4:45)What is a mind? (7:45)Agency vs experience, or thinking vs feeling (9:40)Why do people see moral exemplars as being insensitive to pain? (10:45)How will people perceive minds in robots/AI? (18:50)Perspective taking as a tool to reduce substratism towards AI (29:30)Why don’t people like using AI to make moral decisions? (32:25)What would be the moral status of AI if they are not sentient? (38:00)The presence of robots can make people seem more similar (44:10)What can we expect about discrimination towards digital minds in the future? (48:30)Resources discussed in the episode are available at https://www.sentienceinstitute.org/podcastSupport the show

Dr. Kurt Gray, a Professor at the University of North Carolina, dives into the art of teaching kids strong values while respecting differing opinions. He discusses the importance of empathy in moral development and offers practical strategies for navigating moral dilemmas. The conversation emphasizes open dialogue over judgment, especially in discussions about complex issues like bullying. Gray also highlights how fostering independence in teens can enhance their moral growth, blending individual beliefs with understanding broader perspectives.

Dr. Kurt Gray, a psychology professor at UNC and author of "Outraged," explores the roots of societal divisions and the psychology behind moral indignation. He discusses how perceptions of harm and victimhood shape our moral judgments, emphasizing the role of group loyalty in navigating offense. The conversation highlights the power of personal narratives in fostering understanding between differing political perspectives. Gray offers insights into hope and humility as essential tools for bridging divides and promoting empathy in a polarized world.