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Summary of Transcript:
In this video, Tom Bilyeu interviews Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, on the topic of the human mind and how it works. They discuss the idea of ultra-sociality in humans and compare it to bees and ants, who are all related, whereas humans can live in large groups with strangers. Haidt explains that humans also have a tendency towards selfishness, which adds complexity to our social dynamics. He dives into the concept of morality and how humans co-create and enforce norms, creating a consensual hallucination or matrix. Religion has played a powerful role in creating sacred beliefs and ideas for humanity, but Haidt explains that humans can have individual things that are sacred to them, like personal goals and beliefs. Tom shares his own journey from Christianity to Taoism and ultimately finding a sense of sacredness in the pursuit of turning potential into usable skills.
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Summary of Description:
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt speaks with Tom Bilyeu about moral psychology and how we can lead with empathy. Haidt explains how we create webs of meaning that allow us to build institutions and create functioning societies, and how these webs are currently in conflict or slowly disintegrating. He explores topics such as the power of connection and group interaction, the problems with social media, conformity in political thought, and changing American attitudes towards race. Haidt also advocates for trying multiple approaches to dealing with problems like racism and how to constructively discuss difficult topics. Finally, he suggests finding a common language in our post-Babel Age to bridge our differences.
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Jonathan Haidt on Empathy and the Power of Connection
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt is on a mission to help people understand themselves and the world around them. In a recent conversation with Tom Bilyeu, he shared valuable insights on moral psychology, empathy, and the important role that community plays in shaping our beliefs and values.
Why are We 90% Chimps and 10% Bees?
According to Haidt, humans are unique in their ability to communicate and work together as a group. The human brain has evolved to create social connections and build webs of meaning that allow us to build institutions, create societies and speak with a common language. Drawing on his research, Haidt believes that our social nature is due to our being only 10% tribal like bees, and 90% self-serving like chimpanzees.
Defining Morality
Haidt suggests that morality is more than just personal self-interest. It is a socially constructed phenomenon, based on the interactions between people, organizations, and institutions. Morality is the glue that binds communities together and helps us to develop shared standards of behavior, beliefs, and values.
The Importance of Connection and Group Interaction
Haidt emphasizes the power of connection and group interaction in shaping our beliefs and values. When we have a strong sense of community, we are better able to build webs of meaning that are more meaningful and lasting. These webs of meaning help us to communicate more effectively and build more meaningful relationships.
The Problem with Social Media
Haidt also discusses the problems with social media, which he believes has contributed to the fracturing of our shared webs of meaning. Social media has created echo chambers that amplify our biases and beliefs, making it harder to connect with people who think differently.
Leading with Empathy
While empathy may be difficult to practice, Haidt suggests that it is crucial in persuasion and healing divides between different positions. We need to move beyond the divisiveness and polarization that has emerged in modern society, by taking time to understand our differences and to appreciate the factors that shape our opposing views.
Persuading People with Different Positions
Haidt recommends approaching those with different positions from a place of curiosity, humility, and respect. He advises finding common ground, constructing arguments strategically, and using language that is respectful and non-confrontational. To bridge the gap between different positions, Haidt suggests that we need to invite disconfirming evidence into our lives, by being open to feedback and alternate viewpoints.
Constructive Discussion of Difficult Topics
Constructive discussion of difficult topics requires open-mindedness, humility, and a willingness to listen. By getting people to focus on similarities rather than differences, we can more effectively address concerns and find solutions. Haidt suggests that we need to consider the ways that our own experiences, biases, and beliefs shape our understanding of different positions, rather than just dismissing them outright.
Speaking a Common Language in a Post-Babel Age
Haidt argues that we need to find ways to speak a common language in our post-Babel age, by building bridges across different communities and developing shared meanings. By recognizing the power of connection, embracing empathy, and actively seeking out disconfirming evidence, we can work toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.
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Source Description
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt researches moral psychology to help us understand ourselves and our world better. He is an expert on how we create webs of meaning that allow us to speak a common language, build institutions, and create functioning societies. And right now we may need his voice more than ever, as our webs of meaning seem to be in conflict with each other or slowly disintegrating.
On this episode of Conversations with Tom Bilyeu, Jonathan Haidt explains why we need to lead with empathy, how to persuade people who have staked out very different positions from yours, and how to invite disconfirming evidence into your life.
SHOW NOTES:
Why are we 90% chimps and 10% bees? [2:01]
Jonathan suggests a definition of morality [4:14]
Jonathan and Tom discuss religion and spiritual, mind-opening experiences [5:53]
Jonathan explains the “hive switch”, the group experience of religion and morality [11:27]
Jonathan and Tom discuss the power of connection and group interaction [16:34]
Jonathan talks about the problems with social media and how they developed [20:18]
What makes some webs of meaning so powerful that they spread so fast? [27:57]
Jonathan and Tom ask to what extent political affiliation is genetic [33:29]
Jonathan discusses the disturbing trend towards conformity in political thought [37:18]
Jonathan and Tom discuss changing American attitudes towards race [
Jonathan talks about how hard it is to lead with empathy [46:52]
Jonathan advocates trying many approaches to dealing with problems like racism [50:30]
How do we constructively discuss difficult topics? [54:51]
Why we have to get people to focus on similarities [59:02]
Jonathan discusses his experience with psychedelics [1:03:52]
How to invite disconfirming evidence into your life–How do you know you’re right? [1:10:44]
We need to find a way to speak a common language in our post-Babel Age [1:16:27]
FOLLOW JONATHAN:
WEBSITE: https://jonathanhaidt.com/
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/jonathanhaidt/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/JonHaidt
BOOKS MENTIONED:
“Tao Te Ching” Lao Tzu
“Tao of Jeet Kune Do”, Bruce Lee
“Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy”, Barbara Ehrenreich
“Keeping Together in Time”, William McNeill
“Long Walk to Freedom”, Nelson Mandela
Emile Durkheim is mentioned often: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Durkheim
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