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Can't We All Disagree More Constructively?: from The Righteous Mind (Kindle Single)
As America descends deeper into polarization and paralysis, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has done the seemingly impossible—he has explained the origins of morality, politics, and religion in a way that speaks to everyone on the political spectrum. Drawing on twenty-five years of groundbreaking research, Haidt shows why liberals, conservatives, and libertarians have such different intuitions about right and wrong, and why we need the insights of each if we are to flourish as a nation. Here is the key to understanding the miracle of human cooperation and the eternal curse of moralistic aggression, across the political divide and around the world. A Vintage Shorts Selection. An ebook short.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2016
253 people are currently reading
2164 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Haidt
25 books5,399 followersJonathan Haidt is the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He obtained his PhD in social psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992 and taught at the University of Virginia for sixteen years. His research focuses on moral and political psychology, as described in his book The Righteous Mind. His latest book, The Anxious Generation, is a direct continuation of the themes explored in The Coddling of the American Mind (written with Greg Lukianoff). He writes the After Babel Substack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 6, 2020
It turns out this is just a chapter of a book I was planning to read, "The Righteous Mind".
As I read it, I encountered a passage that made my breath stop, and nearly my heart. I've been pondering something of Great Importance to me for a couple years now, a thought that, for me, is very profound, but which I have never read anywhere else. Not on the news, not in books, not on social media. I listen to a lot of ranting and philosophizing, but I have never heard anyone express this point before.
I was so convinced I stumbled on something so profoundly original that I had been working on writing it myself. I even had a few drafts. I was going to be a GENIUS.
So, naturally, someone beat me to it: John Stuart Mill. No slouch, even though it is rumored that "of his own free will, after half a pint of shandy was particularly ill".
We need to stop believing that Right vs Left is a zero-sum, winner-take-all, game where it can be logically determined that one side or the other is "correct" and that the other side needs to be crushed, their fields salted, their genitalia removed to prevent progeny.
The world needs both Right and Left. Our best ideas are refined through the interplay of both filters: moving forward while still respecting the past, pursuing the common good while still protecting individual freedom. No nation has ever been just the one or the other without being forced. And being forced is likely the biggest evil of all...
I'm still sad that I'm not a genius. I mean, I was SO CLOSE! Maybe next time...
As I read it, I encountered a passage that made my breath stop, and nearly my heart. I've been pondering something of Great Importance to me for a couple years now, a thought that, for me, is very profound, but which I have never read anywhere else. Not on the news, not in books, not on social media. I listen to a lot of ranting and philosophizing, but I have never heard anyone express this point before.
I was so convinced I stumbled on something so profoundly original that I had been working on writing it myself. I even had a few drafts. I was going to be a GENIUS.
So, naturally, someone beat me to it: John Stuart Mill. No slouch, even though it is rumored that "of his own free will, after half a pint of shandy was particularly ill".
We need to stop believing that Right vs Left is a zero-sum, winner-take-all, game where it can be logically determined that one side or the other is "correct" and that the other side needs to be crushed, their fields salted, their genitalia removed to prevent progeny.
The world needs both Right and Left. Our best ideas are refined through the interplay of both filters: moving forward while still respecting the past, pursuing the common good while still protecting individual freedom. No nation has ever been just the one or the other without being forced. And being forced is likely the biggest evil of all...
I'm still sad that I'm not a genius. I mean, I was SO CLOSE! Maybe next time...
December 15, 2020
This is a synopsis of the arguments that Haidt makes in The Righteous Mind. It helped reinforce my understanding of what I read in The Righteous Mind.
My thoughts on this are well covered in my review on The Righteous Mind: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
My thoughts on this are well covered in my review on The Righteous Mind: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
June 5, 2017
Awesome book. Really a booklette as it is very short.
Offers deep insight into how liberals and conservatives think. The genetic explanation for conservatism and liberalism will raise a few eyebrows. Another interesting insight is that conservatives understand liberals better than liberals understand conservatives. Most importantly, it extends Haidt's framework for the basis of morality.
I would also recommend Jonathan Haidt's 'The Righteous Mind' and joining the Facebook group devoted to his work.
Offers deep insight into how liberals and conservatives think. The genetic explanation for conservatism and liberalism will raise a few eyebrows. Another interesting insight is that conservatives understand liberals better than liberals understand conservatives. Most importantly, it extends Haidt's framework for the basis of morality.
I would also recommend Jonathan Haidt's 'The Righteous Mind' and joining the Facebook group devoted to his work.
June 15, 2017
Thought provoking look at division in America
Right, wrong, tribes, countries, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. Each of these is examined in detail, so much so that even brain development is taken into account. A profoundly worthwhile read no matter where you fall on the political spectrum.
Right, wrong, tribes, countries, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. Each of these is examined in detail, so much so that even brain development is taken into account. A profoundly worthwhile read no matter where you fall on the political spectrum.
December 30, 2017
Doesn’t work as a single chapter
KS taken out of a larger book. It constantly refers to concepts and whole chapters before the one here. Not recommended
KS taken out of a larger book. It constantly refers to concepts and whole chapters before the one here. Not recommended
May 21, 2017
During the last year or so in the world of American politics, it seems as if there is an epic battle raging. This book is a portion of Haidt's book The Righteous Mind broken out as a standalone essay to give an overview of left and right political affiliation.
"...but in the real world there seems to be no alternative to a political process in which parties compete to win votes and money. That competition always involves trickery and demagoguery, as politicians play fast and loose with the truth, using their inner press secretaries to portray themselves in the best possible light and their opponents as fools who would lead the country to ruin. "
"...many Americans feel that they're on a ship that's sinking, and the crew is too busy fighting with each other to bother plugging the leaks."
Referencing an Australian study showing how our stance Conservative or Liberal is tied to your genes. I have never heard this talked about in previous discussions. This study shows that conservatives brains are wired to act more strongly than liberals to signs of danger, and liberals brains seem to be stronger on the sensation-seeks spectrum.
"A party of order or stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary elements of a healthy state of political life" ~ John Stuart Hill 1859
All throughout this book, Haidt discusses how conservative and liberals are wired differently. They each approach societal struggles in a different way but Haidt calls for the approach of Yin and Yang. That each side has their strengths and each side has their weaknesses, that in order to be a true greater society we will have to learn to work together.
"...but in the real world there seems to be no alternative to a political process in which parties compete to win votes and money. That competition always involves trickery and demagoguery, as politicians play fast and loose with the truth, using their inner press secretaries to portray themselves in the best possible light and their opponents as fools who would lead the country to ruin. "
"...many Americans feel that they're on a ship that's sinking, and the crew is too busy fighting with each other to bother plugging the leaks."
Referencing an Australian study showing how our stance Conservative or Liberal is tied to your genes. I have never heard this talked about in previous discussions. This study shows that conservatives brains are wired to act more strongly than liberals to signs of danger, and liberals brains seem to be stronger on the sensation-seeks spectrum.
"A party of order or stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary elements of a healthy state of political life" ~ John Stuart Hill 1859
All throughout this book, Haidt discusses how conservative and liberals are wired differently. They each approach societal struggles in a different way but Haidt calls for the approach of Yin and Yang. That each side has their strengths and each side has their weaknesses, that in order to be a true greater society we will have to learn to work together.
March 9, 2019
Short and excellent. The Righeous Mind is certainly well worth reading in it's entirety, however this gives some insight to that book and by providing some example stories it shows how easy it is to love your own versions of political policy stories and hate the other guys.
He does waste a little time hopefully trying to explain the tribalization of America by "congressmen being told to not live in Washington in the '90s", or "Democrats voting for civil rights so the south went Republican".
The reason seems pretty obvious -- Americans became less religious, and ("reasonably common") religion is PRIMARILY what keeps people from each others throats! He points this out in a number of places in the short ... religion speaks to "the elephant").
As he says on location 388, if you don't pay attention to moral capital you have no choice but to fail or become authoritarian; "This, I believe, is the fundamental blind spot of the left. It explains why liberal reforms so often backfire, and why communist revolutions usually end up in despotism."
He does waste a little time hopefully trying to explain the tribalization of America by "congressmen being told to not live in Washington in the '90s", or "Democrats voting for civil rights so the south went Republican".
The reason seems pretty obvious -- Americans became less religious, and ("reasonably common") religion is PRIMARILY what keeps people from each others throats! He points this out in a number of places in the short ... religion speaks to "the elephant").
As he says on location 388, if you don't pay attention to moral capital you have no choice but to fail or become authoritarian; "This, I believe, is the fundamental blind spot of the left. It explains why liberal reforms so often backfire, and why communist revolutions usually end up in despotism."
July 19, 2021
I didn't realize this was part of a bigger book until I began to read it. Despite that, I found that this chapter was very interesting. It talked about how our brains can lead us to be liberal or conservative by either being more afraid of things (conservative) or willing to try new things (liberal). I find this something I already noticed from a young age, but he went into the details of how that was so, which made it more interesting. He also talked about how there needs to be both political parties for a check and balance. What is interesting is that he wrote this in 2013, and the political divide has only gotten way worse. Having read other books explaining this, its easy to see why.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2017
A short introduction to why we all veer towards tribalism. Being aware of why is the first step in fighting it. Will we succeed? All signs point to no, but this book is a noble attempt to teach us how to hold back our tribal tendencies. If everyone were to take steps to reduce this problem, maybe we would be better off. Its incredibly short and worth the time and 99 cents it costs to buy it from Amazon.
August 7, 2021
“To open your mind, you need to open your heart”
Haidt establishes a basis of understanding between US political division that does not rely on political talking points. He instead builds a foundation how the human experience and genetic disposition sets up one’s own political affiliation. When actively mindful of this, this perhaps could make disagreements more constructive rather than explosive.
Haidt establishes a basis of understanding between US political division that does not rely on political talking points. He instead builds a foundation how the human experience and genetic disposition sets up one’s own political affiliation. When actively mindful of this, this perhaps could make disagreements more constructive rather than explosive.
January 7, 2022
Most important things I learned:
Morality binds and blinds.
If you really want to open your mind, open your heart first.
You may not agree, but you’ll probably shift from Manichaean disagreement to a more respectful and constructive yin-yang disagreement.
The point I did not like is that the book gives only political examples..even though several points can be applied in other parts of life.
Morality binds and blinds.
If you really want to open your mind, open your heart first.
You may not agree, but you’ll probably shift from Manichaean disagreement to a more respectful and constructive yin-yang disagreement.
The point I did not like is that the book gives only political examples..even though several points can be applied in other parts of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2022
Terrific read
Excellent look at the how's and why's we have gone in different directions. I can only hope, there are those on the "other" side who have open enough minds to see the value of, their opposing side. Sadly, the problem however has become, "that" side has gone SO far astray, that they now prefer to tearing down our democratic system, looking to an authoritarian wannabe as the saviour.
Excellent look at the how's and why's we have gone in different directions. I can only hope, there are those on the "other" side who have open enough minds to see the value of, their opposing side. Sadly, the problem however has become, "that" side has gone SO far astray, that they now prefer to tearing down our democratic system, looking to an authoritarian wannabe as the saviour.
December 10, 2023
Having read several books from Haidt I quickly purchased this when I saw it for a buck on Kindle. I didn't realize it was actually an excerpt from his book "The Righteous Mind" - one of my top books.
But listening to it again I wish more people on left and right and anywhere in between. It is one of the best critiques of the growing left-right divide in the US.
But listening to it again I wish more people on left and right and anywhere in between. It is one of the best critiques of the growing left-right divide in the US.
July 6, 2019
Very thought provoking
Very good essay that goes deep into the basis of why people are divided on politics. The book also offers solutions as well as some understanding of how people who are not like minded to yourself think.
Very good essay that goes deep into the basis of why people are divided on politics. The book also offers solutions as well as some understanding of how people who are not like minded to yourself think.
March 28, 2025
Люди спорят не ради истины, а чтобы защитить свою групповую идентичность. Хайдт объясняет это через модель «интуитивная собака и рациональный хвост»: наши доводы лишь оправдывают изначальные моральные интуиции (например, либералы ценят справедливость, консерваторы — верность традициям).
July 23, 2017
If you are at all interested in politics and how they came about, This is the book for you.
August 29, 2017
Interesting short read. Easy to read, topic is pertinent in this political climate. Another look at the polarization issues.
December 21, 2019
Good complement to Haidt’s, “The Righteous Mind”
July 8, 2021
I wish everyone would read this.
July 6, 2022
Intriguing premise and framework. This piece is actually a chapter from the author’s book The Righteous Mind so assumes familiarity with the material from it preceding chapters.
July 26, 2022
A very short read that's worth to read if you're new to politics. Understanding liberalism, conservatism and the problem that arise in between the two polar opposites. Another remarkable work, Haidt!
May 26, 2019
Really good short read that helps understand about why we move towards more polarization and tribalism. Reminder about the importance of social and moral capital and let's try to better understand the other side.
March 4, 2017
A kind of executive summary of "The Righteous Mind," which presents the main tenets of author, and moral psychologist Jonathan Heidt. It is helpful in understanding why we seem to live in two separate political and moral nations. Now I plan to read the full book.
February 20, 2017
Really a nice job exploring the basic reasons and philosophies of the right and left. It helped me understand own conservative beliefs and how to Articulate them in a non confrontational way. If You are looking for a starting place to reach out to people from the other side of the political debate with a sincere eagerness to understand, this book is a great start. You don't have to sell out your principals to listen and even like and empathize with the other side.
December 15, 2016
'Can't We All Disagree More Constructively?: from the Righteous Mind' by Jonathan Haidt is a short essay with a very long name and a very timely message.
What makes us conservative and liberal? What has happened that we can't even talk to each other anymore?
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist that has some ideas about how we got here. He thinks some of the origins of liberalism and conservatism have a genetic influence. Things like risk aversion play in to the equation. I can buy into that theory a little bit. The more important thing is to understand and flourish as a nation.
The book feels like it's accessible no matter what your political leaning, and I really appreciate what the author says. I've felt for a while that the divide in my country is growing, and that has never been more evident than in the past election cycle. This book and thought process may work to help change things.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Vintage, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
What makes us conservative and liberal? What has happened that we can't even talk to each other anymore?
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist that has some ideas about how we got here. He thinks some of the origins of liberalism and conservatism have a genetic influence. Things like risk aversion play in to the equation. I can buy into that theory a little bit. The more important thing is to understand and flourish as a nation.
The book feels like it's accessible no matter what your political leaning, and I really appreciate what the author says. I've felt for a while that the divide in my country is growing, and that has never been more evident than in the past election cycle. This book and thought process may work to help change things.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Vintage, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
January 2, 2017
Bridging the Gap
A new (to me) narrative on understanding value drivers in the people on the political left and right. The differences that lead us to differing view points and the need for respecting both sides so we can have a balance in dialogue to push and pull our government into being the best it can be.
A new (to me) narrative on understanding value drivers in the people on the political left and right. The differences that lead us to differing view points and the need for respecting both sides so we can have a balance in dialogue to push and pull our government into being the best it can be.
January 15, 2017
Top notch summary of the Righteous Mind
Short enough to read in a sitting, but contains enough food for thought for months in its conceptual basis for the political discord we are currently undergoing.
Short enough to read in a sitting, but contains enough food for thought for months in its conceptual basis for the political discord we are currently undergoing.
December 23, 2017
This book has stuck with me as our nation travels toward tyranny or a return to our founding values. Who are we? Who are those we can't understand? Can we find common ground? What it's in our DNA and what values and beliefs have we learned? This book helps one to unravel the answers.
November 4, 2022
Easy read
Loved his analogy of the csn of peas and the magical insurance system
Lots of gems
Loved his analogy of the csn of peas and the magical insurance system
Lots of gems
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews