The Righteous Mind
by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt's moral psychology: intuition comes first and reasoning follows (the elephant and the rider), morality rests on six foundations that liberals and conservatives weight differently, and humans are groupish by nature. It is the best book for understanding why good people disagree and how to talk across the divide.
Read it if…
you want to understand people whose politics or values baffle you.
Skip it if…
you want to confirm your own side; the book will not oblige.
Three things you will actually use
- Intuition first, reasoning second; argue to the elephant.
- Different foundations, not stupidity, explain disagreement.
- Morality binds and blinds.
Do this first
Steelman the position you most oppose using the moral foundations it draws on.
Our verdict
Illuminating and fair.
Compare with other Mindset books
The School of Life: An Emotional Education
The School of Life, introduced by Alain de Botton · Mindset
Elegant and humane.
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