
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion
Jonathan Haidt
'A landmark contribution to humanity's understanding of itself' The New York Times
Why can it sometimes feel as though half the population is living in a different moral universe? Why do ideas such as 'fairness' and 'freedom' mean such different things to different people? Why is it so hard to see things from another viewpoint? Why do we come to blows over politics and religion?
Jonathan Haidt reveals that we often find it hard to get along because our minds are hardwired to be moralistic, judgemental and self-righteous. He explores how morality evolved to enable us to form communities, and how moral values are not just about justice and equality - for some people authority, sanctity or loyalty matter more. Morality binds and blinds, but, using his own research, Haidt proves it is possible to liberate ourselves from the disputes that divide good people.
Product Details
About Jonathan Haidt
Reviews for The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion
The New York Times
If you want to know why you hold your moral beliefs and why many people disagree with you, read this book
Simon Baron-Cohen
author of The Essential Difference
A truly seminal book
David Goodhart
Prospect
A tour de force - brave, brilliant, and eloquent. It will challenge the way you think about liberals and conservatives, atheism and religion, good and evil
Paul Bloom
author of How Pleasure Works
Compelling . . . a fluid combination of erudition and entertainment
Ian Birrell
Observer
Lucid and thought-provoking . . . deserves to be widely read
Jenni Russell
Sunday Times