The Righteous Mind is a book by Jonathan Haidt that looks at the psychology of political and religious beliefs. It argues that we are hard-wired to be tribal, and that our morality is based on whether we see others as being in our tribe or not.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who is interested in psychology, political science, or religious studies. It provides a unique perspective on the origins of our beliefs and offers insight into why people hold different views.
Pros :
- This book offers a unique perspective on the psychology of political and religious beliefs.
- It provides insight into why we feel so strongly about our own beliefs, and how to open up dialogues with those who have different opinions.
- The Righteous Mind is well written and easy to read.
Cons :
- It can be difficult to read
- It can be dense and hard to follow at times
- It doesn’t offer a lot of solutions
Learn more about the author
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist who teaches at New York University. He has written for The Atlantic, The New York Times, and other publications.
Reader Reviews
“Haidt has written an extremely important book, one that is sure to provoke discussion and reflection for many years to come. It’s not often that a work of nonfiction so successfully grabs and holds the reader’s interest from beginning to end.”
“This book is a tour de force. It will change the way you think about morality, politics, religion, and yourself.”
“The Righteous Mind is a groundbreaking look at the origins of morality. Jonathan Haidt shows how we evolved five innate n “
“Haidt has hit upon an excellent framework for understanding much of the difference between liberals and conservatives. His discussions of how morality is based on emotions, rather than reason, and how it leads to the formation of political coalitions are astute and persuasive.”