The Righteous Mind - Jonathan Haidt

Question 1

What is the first rule that Jonathan Haidt proposes as to how we should think about the origins/effects of morality?

Answer 1

I. Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second

II. There’s more to morality than harm and fairness

III. Morality binds and blinds

Question 2

What is the second rule that Jonathan Haidt proposes as to how we should think about the origins/effects of morality?

Answer 2

I. Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second

II. There’s more to morality than harm and fairness

III. Morality binds and blinds

Question 3

What is the third rule that Jonathan Haidt proposes as to how we should think about the origins/effects of morality?

Answer 3

I. Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second

II. There’s more to morality than harm and fairness

III. Morality binds and blinds

Question 4

The analogy Jonathan Haidt uses to describe how our minds operate is that our conscious selves are a relatively weak __________ sitting atop a large __________ (the unconscious processes of our minds).

Answer 4

The analogy Jonathan Haidt uses to describe how our minds operate is that our conscious selves are a relatively weak rider sitting atop a large elephant (the unconscious processes of our minds).

Question 5

True/False.

According to Jonathan Haidt, moral reasoning is almost always predetermined in a logical way.

Answer 5

False.

According to Jonathan Haidt, moral reasoning is often a post hoc fabrication.

(to justify one’s intuitions, emotional or otherwise)

Question 6

According to Jonathan Haidt, children develop their moral compasses through a combination of both (1) self-construction through their understanding of ______ and also (2) ______ input and guidance.

Answer 6

According to Jonathan Haidt, children develop their moral compasses through a combination of both (1) self-construction through their understanding of harm and also (2) cultural input and guidance.

Question 7

Of the following, who would Jonathan Haidt say is the most correct?

Plato - reason is the master and should rule over moral intuitions (e.g. moral emotions).

Jefferson - reason and these intuitive processes should co-govern as equal partners.

Hume - reason is the servant of the passions (the intuitive processes).

Answer 7

Hume - reason is the servant of the passions (the intuitive processes).

I.e. our emotional and intuitive processes (the elephant) drive our conscious selves (the riders).

Question 8

According to Jonathan Haidt, what is the best way to change others’ minds on charged topics?

Answer 8

Speak to their intuitions (the elephant) first

(Don’t just begin with your stance and then try to convince them with supporting evidences; walk them through your intuitions first in order to guide them towards your conclusion.)

Question 9

Describe Jonathan Haidt’s model of how we, as social beings, come to our moral conclusions.

Answer 9

Question 10

Who shows more of the beginnings of an understanding of morality, a psychopath (who can reason but not feel) or a baby (who can feel but not reason)?

Answer 10

A baby

(thus, emotive intutions often play into our moral understanding than logical reasoning does)

Question 11

Which lobe of the brain has been shown to be especially linked up to feelings of disgust and moral dislike?

Answer 11

The insula lobe

(So, gustatory/olfactory senses of disgust map onto similar parts of the brain as moral disgust!)

Question 12

What philosophical perspective argues that whatever option of action brings the maximum amount of ‘happiness’ or ‘well-being’ to the world of conscious individuals is the most morally correct option?

Answer 12

Utilitarianism

Question 13

What philosophical perspective follows a careful, logical line of moral reasoning to argue that we have a duty to respect the rights of individuals and follow this as a rule in how we approach our own goals?

Answer 13

Deontology

Question 14

True/False.

According to Jonathan Haidt, the way we often arrive at our moral reasonings is by developing post hoc explanations for our gut intuitions (initial reactions / emotional judgments), NOT by logically assessing the facts and reaching a conclusion.

Answer 14

True.

Question 15

What portion of the brain is involved in connecting our emotional reactions to our logical reasoning so we can act morally in the world?

Answer 15

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex

(vmPFC)

Question 16

If the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is damaged, how does this affect moral actions?

Answer 16

One would be able to understand/logic morals but would lose all emotional reaction, crippling their ability to turn this logic into action

Question 17

True/False.

According to Jonathan Haidt, brains evaluate instantly and constantly (mostly via conscious processes); social/political judgments depend heavily on long intuitive processes.

Answer 17

False.

According to Jonathan Haidt, brains evaluate instantly and constantly (mostly via unconsciousprocesses); social/political judgments depend heavily onquickintuitiveflashes.

Question 18

Is most of our concern over how others think about us conscious or unconscious?

(I.e., is social awareness/fear/anxiety/concern/attention attended to more by conscious or unconscious processes?)

Answer 18

Unconscious

Question 19

Are most of our personal political intuitions groupish (deployed to support our team) or selfish (deployed to support our own reasonings)?

Answer 19

Groupish

(we try to support our teams and demonstrate commitment to the team’s values/goals)

Question 20

What part of the brain is most involved in tasks involving ‘cool,’ logical reasoning?

Answer 20

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC)

Question 21

What happens neurologically when partisan politicos are ‘released’ from uncomfortable truths about their candidate or party?

Answer 21

Dopamine is released in the ventral striatum

(partisanship is addictive)

Question 22

Does the evidence show that moral philosophers tend to behave any more ethically than their counterparts who are not moral philosophers?

Answer 22

No.

(The rider being more aware doesn’t necessarily make them more able to tame the elephant.)

Question 23

True/False.

According to Jonathan Haidt, our moral reasoning is most often used simply to justify the intuitions we have already reached.

(I.e. our rider choosing to go along with what the elephant is already doing.)

Answer 23

True.

Question 24

According to Jonathan Haidt, why is it important to have a diverse array of intellectual opinions and ideological perspectives in any truth-seeking group (such as a governing board or a group of scientists)?

Answer 24

Our minds are hardwired to find reasonings to support the conclusions we’ve already reached (the rider going along with the elephant). Having diverse opinions present allows us to challenge one another and thus think outside the box in arriving at whatever the truth is (your elephant influences mine in a way my rider can’t).

Question 25

What are Shweder's three ethics of morality? (*ACD*)

Answer 25

1. Autonomy 2. Community 3. Divinity

Question 26

WEIRD (*Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic*) cultures primarily build their morality around Shweder's ethic of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 26

WEIRD (*Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic*) cultures primarily build their morality around Shweder's ethic of **_autonomy_**.

Question 27

Non-Western cultures typically build their societal morals around which of Shweder's ethics in addition to (or in place of) autonomy?

Answer 27

Community; divinity

Question 28

Which of Shweder's moral ethics could be defined as a person's right to act/think/move through the world as they wish?

Answer 28

Autonomy

Question 29

Which of Shweder's moral ethics could be defined as a person's membership of societal groups (families/teams/companies/tribes/nations/etc.) and their associated duty to play their assigned roles within those entities?

Answer 29

Community

Question 30

Which of Shweder's moral ethics could be defined as the human's natural state as an immortal, divine soul within a temporary body (the body being a temple to be honored and kept clean/undefiled) that should be used in 'good,' 'godly' ways (discouraging crassness, empty consumerism, or trivialized sexuality)?

Answer 30

Divinity

Question 31

What is moral pluralism?

Answer 31

The fact that the moral domain varies across cultures

Question 32

The moral domain is typically _________ (more narrow/wider) in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries and _________ (more narrow/wider) in other societies (including conservative / religious factions of WEIRD countries).

Answer 32

The moral domain is typically **_more_** **_narrow_** in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries and **_wider_** in other societies (including conservative / religious factions of WEIRD countries).

Question 33

The moral domain in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries primarily forms around what principle(s)? The moral domain in non-WEIRD societies (including conservative / religious factions of WEIRD countries) primarily forms around what principle(s)?

Answer 33

(1) **Autonomy** (2) Autonomy, **community**, and **divinity**

Question 34

According to Jonathan Haidt, is it possible that there might be more than one valid moral framework for judging others or running a society?

Answer 34

Yes.

Question 35

Jonathan Haidt (mimicking Hume) compares our sense of morality to what other sensory system of the body?

Answer 35

**Five taste buds** | (gustatory)

Question 36

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (utilitarianism/deontology) is more likely to focus on welfare as a way of solving issues. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (utilitarianism/deontology) is more likely to use a focus on rights as a way of solving issues.

Answer 36

**_Utilitarianism_** is more likely to focus on welfare as a way of solving issues. **_Deontology_** is more likely to use a focus on rights as a way of solving issues.

Question 37

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: 1. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 2. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3. Loyalty 4. Authority 5. Sanctity

Answer 37

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. **_Care_** 2. **_Fairness_** 3. Loyalty 4. Authority 5. Sanctity

Question 38

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. Care 2. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 4. Authority 5. Sanctity

Answer 38

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. Care 2. **_Fairness_** 3. **_Loyalty_** 4. Authority 5. Sanctity

Question 39

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. Care 2. Fairness 3. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 4. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 5. Sanctity

Answer 39

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. Care 2. Fairness 3. **_Loyalty_** 4. **_Authority_** 5. Sanctity

Question 40

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. Care 2. Fairness 3. Loyalty 4. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 5. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 40

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. Care 2. Fairness 3. Loyalty 4. **_Authority_** 5. **_Sanctity_**

Question 41

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 2. Fairness 3. Loyalty 4. Authority 5. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 41

Jonathan Haidt's 'moral foundations theory' centers around the following five 'taste buds' of moral value: ## Footnote 1. **_Care_** 2. Fairness 3. Loyalty 4. Authority 5. **_Sanctity_**

Question 42

Jonathan Haidt's five moral 'taste buds' of moral foundations theory are care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and sanctity. ## Footnote **What sixth 'taste bud' has been added in order to explain libertarianism and also better differentiate the right and left of the political spectrum?**

Answer 42

Liberty/oppression

Question 43

**True/False**. According to Jonathan Haidt, infant brains are complex structures hardwired for fixed and immutable perspectives on / responses to various moral situations.

Answer 43

**False**. According to Jonathan Haidt, infant brains are complex structures ***pre***wired for ***flexible*** perspectives ***that are subject to change in light of*** various moral situations (***you could say,***'***organized in advance of experience'***).

Question 44

**True/False**. Each of the moral values (care, fairness, loyalty, authority, sanctity) which we tend to hold in some balance with the others are derived from evolutionary mechanisms that made them valuable as innate, 'prewired' parts of our neural make-up.

Answer 44

True.

Question 45

The 'care/harm' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to what specific situation?

Answer 45

Protecting/caring for children in response to their suffering/neediness/distress

Question 46

The 'fairness/cheating' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to what specific situation?

Answer 46

Reaping the benefits of two-way cooperation

Question 47

The 'loyalty/betrayal' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to what specific situation?

Answer 47

Forming cohesive conditions against an external threat/challenge

Question 48

The 'authority/subversion' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to what specific situation?

Answer 48

Structuring hierarchies for organization, division of labor, and suppression of in-group conflict (*Someone has to have the final say.*)

Question 49

The 'sanctity/degradation' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to what specific situation?

Answer 49

Avoiding contaminants (such as waste products or diseased individuals)

Question 50

The 'care/harm' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to the need to protect and care for one's children in response to their suffering/neediness/distress. ## Footnote **This innate, prewired moral value is sometimes tripped incidentally in response to what sorts of contemporary triggers?**

Answer 50

Cute animals (e.g. baby seals); cute cartoon characters; etc.

Question 51

The 'fairness/cheating' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in reaping the benefits of two-way cooperation. **This innate, prewired moral value is sometimes tripped incidentally in response to what sorts of contemporary triggers**?

Answer 51

Marital fidelity; broken vending machines; etc.

Question 52

The 'loyalty/betrayal' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in forming cohesive conditions against an external threat/challenge. ## Footnote **This innate, prewired moral value is sometimes tripped incidentally in response to what sorts of contemporary triggers?**

Answer 52

Sports teams; nationalism; etc.

Question 53

The 'authority/subversion' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in structuring hierarchies for organization / division of labor. ## Footnote **This innate, prewired moral value is sometimes tripped incidentally in response to what sorts of contemporary triggers?**

Answer 53

Showing deference to bosses, respected professionals, etc.

Question 54

The 'sanctity/degradation' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in avoiding contaminants (such as waste products or diseased individuals). ## Footnote **This innate, prewired moral value is sometimes tripped incidentally in response to what sorts of contemporary triggers?**

Answer 54

**Taboo cultural ideas** | (e.g. communism, homosexuality, racism)

Question 55

Which virtues are results of the evolutionary moral value **care/harm** *(a value pointed out by Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory)*?

Answer 55

Caring, kindness

Question 56

Which virtues are results of the evolutionary moral value **fairness/cheating** *(a value pointed out by Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory)*?

Answer 56

Fairness, justice, trustworthiness

Question 57

Which virtues are results of the evolutionary moral value **loyalty/betrayal** *(a value pointed out by Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory)*?

Answer 57

Loyalty, patriotism, self-sacrifice

Question 58

Which virtues are results of the evolutionary moral value **authority/subversion** *(a value pointed out by Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory)*?

Answer 58

Obedience, deference

Question 59

Which virtues are results of the evolutionary moral value **sanctity/degradation** *(a value pointed out by Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory)*?

Answer 59

Temperance, chastity, piety, cleanliness

Question 60

According to Jonathan Haidt, the notion that *hierarchy = power differential = inequality = exploitation = evil* is flawed and incorrect. ## Footnote **Why is this notion of hierarchies being inherently unjust an incorrect one?**

Answer 60

Hierarchical relationships are designed to cultivate group cohesion ***through the asymmetry of positions*** as one seeks both a **superior's protective aid** and also a **subordinate's allegiance**. Maintaining a hierarchical order maintains group cohesion and thus ***_fends off chaotic rearrangements or group failures_***.

Question 61

What is John Stuart Mill's harm principle which can be used to define the limits of autonomy?

Answer 61

Paraphrase: 'Power should only be exercised on an individual against his will to prevent harm to others.'

Question 62

What principle of human dietary ability made Jonathan Haidt's principle of sanctity/degradation so necessary in our evolutionary lineage?

Answer 62

**We are omnivores and can eat/explore a variety of foods** (new foods can be toxic or riddled with pathogens and parasites --- disgust is thus a necessary reaction to have to unorthodox activities)

Question 63

As omnivores, do we love trying new things or do we despise trying new things?

Answer 63

**Both** (neophilia and neophobia)**!** Different individuals have different balances of the two feelings.

Question 64

According to Jonathan Haidt, what is the opposite of holding something in disgust?

Answer 64

To hold it as sacred

Question 65

According to Jonathan Haidt: conservatives care about fairness in that they care about \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_; liberals care about fairness in that they care about \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 65

According to Jonathan Haidt: conservatives care about fairness in that they care about **_proportionality_**; liberals care about fairness in that they care about **_equality_**.

Question 66

According to Jonathan Haidt: conservatives care about liberty in that they care about \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_; liberals care about liberty in that they care about \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 66

According to Jonathan Haidt: conservatives care about liberty in that they care about **_freedom to be left alone_**; liberals care about liberty in that they care about **_freedom of the weak from oppression_**.

Question 67

According to Jonathan Haidt, our 'righteous minds' are shaped for altruism, but we also care more about *looking* good rather than actually *being* good. ## Footnote **What three evolutionary principles are responsible for this result?**

Answer 67

1. **Kin selection** 2. **Reciprocal altruism** 3. **Reputation management**

Question 68

How would Jonathan Haidt likely explain why sports fans wear their teams' logos, why people fly the American flag outside their homes, or why religious individuals profess to 'know' things that are obviously false?

Answer 68

These are all Glauconian methods of **maintaining membership within the group**; it's all _reputation management_.

Question 69

Left-wingers typically operate under which of Jonathan Haidt's six 'taste buds' of moral foundations theory?

Answer 69

Care/harm Fairness/cheating Liberty/oppression

Question 70

Right-wingers typically operate under which of Jonathan Haidt's six 'taste buds' of moral foundations theory?

Answer 70

Care/harm Fairness/cheating Loyalty/betrayal Authority/subversion Sanctity/degradation Liberty/oppression

Question 71

The 'liberty/oppression' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in responding to what specific situation?

Answer 71

Banding together to overthrow tyrannical alpha males

Question 72

The 'liberty/oppression' moral value most likely used to convey an evolutionary advantage in banding together to overthrow tyrannical alpha males. ## Footnote **This innate, prewired moral value is sometimes tripped incidentally in response to what sorts of contemporary triggers?**

Answer 72

Government authoritarianism

Question 73

Which 'taste bud' of Jonathan Haidt's moral foundations theory has a strong association with evolutionary reciprocal altruism?

Answer 73

Fairness

Question 74

**True/False**. According to Jonathan Haidt, rural voters are typically voting against their own self-interest when they vote Republican.

Answer 74

**False**. They may be voting against their own economic interests, but they are definitely voting for their own moral interests (think about the difference between liberals and conservatives according to moral foundations theory).

Question 75

What analogy does Jonathan Haidt use to sell the point that humans are mostly selfish but have a groupish overlay?

Answer 75

'We are 90% chimp and 10% bee.'

Question 76

What is the main objection to the theory of group selection? (Group selection being that groups compete and are selected for based on fitness much as individual organisms.)

Answer 76

The **free rider** problem (It should confer evolutionary advantage to not be willing to die/sacrifice for a group. Thus, the 'free riders' who benefit from the cohesive group should pass on more of their genes than the more courageous/noble members.)

Question 77

According to Jonathan Haidt, much of the evolutionary explanation of why humans are groupish and hold social virtues can be simplified down to the following: 1. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ in numbers 2. ________ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3. ________ management

Answer 77

According to Jonathan Haidt, much of the evolutionary explanation of why humans are groupish and hold social virtues can be simplified down to the following: 1. **_Safety_**/**_accomplishment_** in numbers 2. **_Reciprocal_** **_altruism_** 3. **_Reputation_** management

Question 78

According to Jonathan Haidt, which groupish evolutionary principle might be useful in explaining why the 'free rider problem' isn't necessarily such a threat to the theory of group selection?

Answer 78

Reputation management

Question 79

According to Jonathan Haidt, how might the groupish evolutionary principle of **reputation** **management** explain why the 'free rider problem' isn't necessarily such a threat to the theory of group selection?

Answer 79

In a group that sacralizes loyalty, honor, and country, the free riders are **the most likely to be beaten/killed** **by their own group**. ## Footnote *(And even if he survives the war/endeavor, he will still have his reputation ruined and his chances of fathering children diminished.)*

Question 80

How groupish or selfish would Jonathan Haidt say humans are?

Answer 80

Mostly selfish with a groupish overlay

Question 81

What would Jonathan Haidt say was the major evolutionary moment that was the most important in human ancestors being able to develop moral matrices?

Answer 81

Our ancestors developing **shared intentionality** (allowed for collaboration and cooperative vision)

Question 82

**True/False** Genes and culture coevolve in extremely rapid ways.

Answer 82

True.

Question 83

How long ago did our ancestors separate from chimps (or bonobos)?

Answer 83

5 million years

Question 84

How long ago did our ancestors develop larger brains and become species such as *Homo habilis*? ## Footnote *(We separated from chimps or bonobos 5 million years ago.)*

Answer 84

2.5 million years ago

Question 85

How long ago did *Homo heidelbergensis* develop **shared** **intentionality**, allowing for the development of develop moral matrices?

Answer 85

500,000 years ago

Question 86

How long ago did modern *Homo sapiens* come about and leave Africa?

Answer 86

50,000 years ago

Question 87

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **years ago** - our ancestors diverge from chimps or bonobos. *Austrolopithicus* arrives on the scene. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **years ago** - big-brained hominids such as *Homo habilis* arrive. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **years ago** - shared intentionality arrives on the scene, allowing *Homo heidelbergensis* to develop moral matrices. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **years ago** - *Homo sapiens* leave Africa.

Answer 87

**_5 million_** **years ago** - our ancestors diverge from chimps or bonobos. *Austrolopithicus* arrives on the scene. **_2.5 million_** **years ago** - big-brained hominids such as *Homo habilis* arrive. **_500,000_** **years ago** - shared intentionality arrives on the scene, allowing *Homo heidelbergensis* to develop moral matrices. **_50,000_** **years ago** - *Homo sapiens* leave Africa.

Question 88

**True/False**. Human evolution slowed down drastically starting 50,000 years ago and basically stopped 12,000 years ago.

Answer 88

**False**. Human evolution ***sped up*** drastically starting 50,000 years ago and ***peaked*** 12,000 years ago.

Question 89

What does Jonathan Haidt call the fact that humans are inherently selfish but have the ability to transcend self-interest and lose ourselves in a larger group?

Answer 89

The **Hive** switch

Question 90

Name three ways that Jonathan Haidt says one can artificially flip their 'hive switch.'

Answer 90

1. Awe of nature 2. Durkheimian drugs 3. Raves

Question 91

What two neurobiological mechanisms help explain Jonathan Haidt's hive switch?

Answer 91

1. Oxytocin 2. Mirror neurons

Question 92

What effects does oxytocin release have on an individual's in-group affinity and out-group dislike?

Answer 92

1. In-group affinity **increases** 2. Out-group dislike **remains unchanged**

Question 93

In the context of Jonathan Haidt's research, what does it mean that human mirror neurons are linked to the insular cortex, amygdala, and limbic system?

Answer 93

Mirror neurons are highly involved in **empathy** and **collective effervescence**

Question 94

Via what three strategies does Jonathan Haidt say that organizations can exploit human psychology to increase their employees' satisfaction via collective effervescence and hive mentality?

Answer 94

**1.** Increase similarity, not diversity **2.** Exploit synchrony **3.** Create healthy competition among teams, not individuals

Question 95

A person can experience a pleasurable loss of self when parts of which cerebral lobe are silent?

Answer 95

The **parietal** lobes

Question 96

Religious experiences have been recreated when parts of which cerebral lobe are stimulated?

Answer 96

The **left** **temporal** lobe

Question 97

Why would Durkheim say that humans are *Homo duplex*?

Answer 97

Humans live most of their lives in the **individualistic** (aka profane; aka selfish) plane with brief and ecstatic experiences in the **hive** (aka sacred; aka groupish) plane (*According to Jonathan Haidt, we're 90% chimp and 10% bee.*)

Question 98

For what reason does Jonathan Haidt say that religion evolved?

Answer 98

To i**ncrease group cohesiveness** **and** **stability** via increased commitment, inhibition of cheating, and inhibition of free riders (**group** **selection**)

Question 99

Jonathan Haidt states that the near-universal human belief in a higher power may stem from misfirings of innate processes. **Give an example**.

Answer 99

**Hypersensitive agency detection** (ascribing agency to natural processes like the wind)

Question 100

In what ways would Jonathan Haidt say that religion '**binds and blinds**' communities in a moral matrix?

Answer 100

**Increased group cohesion** (around certain values) + **sacredness** (principles that can no longer be questioned)

Question 101

What would Jonathan Haidt say are the likely two steps by which religion arose in *Homo sapiens*?

Answer 101

1. **By-products of innate processes** (e.g. ascribing agency to natural processes like the sun rising or chance occurrence like a good day of hunting) 2. **Group selection** (cultural selection; maypoles to rally around)

Question 102

**True/False**. Jonathan Haidt would argue that religous belief is the main catalyst promoting the religious to do good.

Answer 102

**False**. Jonathan Haidt would argue that religous ***belongingness*** is the main catalyst promoting the religious to do good.

Question 103

What is Jonathan Haidt's definition of **moral** **systems**?

Answer 103

*'Moral systems are interlocking sets of values, virtues, norms, practices, identities, institutions, technologies, and evolved psychological mechanisms that work together to suppress or regulate self-interest and make cooperative societies possible.'*

Question 104

**True/False**. According to Jonathan Haidt, those that are born with a genetic predisposition to have (1) a low sensitivity to signs of threat and (2) a high affinity for novelty/variety/diversity are more likely to be more politically liberal.

Answer 104

True.

Question 105

**True/False**. According to Jonathan Haidt, those that are born with a genetic predisposition to have (1) a high sensitivity to signs of threat and (2) a low affinity for novelty/variety/diversity are more likely to be more politically conservative.

Answer 105

True.

Question 106

What would Jonathan Haidt define as 'moral capital?'

Answer 106

The resources that sustain a moral community

Question 107

Which philosopher spoke as to the essential nature of both conservative voices to ground the political structure and liberal voices to care for the underserved?

Answer 107

John Stuart Mill

Question 108

What are the two liberal viewpoints that Jonathan Haidt says are the most profoundly useful/healthy to society?

Answer 108

(1) Governments should **restrain** **corporate** **superorganisms** to prevent externalities (2) Some big problems really can be solved by **regulation** (Leaded gasoline is an example for both of these.)

Question 109

What is the main libertarian viewpoint that Jonathan Haidt says is a useful counterpoint to liberal concerns?

Answer 109

**Markets are miraculous** (at least when their externalities and other failures are addressed)

Question 110

What is the main conservative viewpoint that Jonathan Haidt says is a useful counterpoint to liberal concerns?

Answer 110

You don't usually help bees by destroying the hive

Question 111

Robert Putnam found that religious individuals make better neighbors (to religious and secular neighbors alike) and citizens for what reason of their faith?

Answer 111

Increased belongingness / connectivity

Question 112

Robert Putnam found that increased ethnic diversity and levels of immigration cause __________ (increased/decreased) social capital in the community.

Answer 112

Robert Putnam found that increased ethnic diversity and levels of immigration cause **_decreased_** social capital in the community.

Question 113

Robert Putnam found that increased ethnic diversity and levels of immigration cause decreased social capital in the community. **True/False**. This occurs due to discrimination and increased out-group hatred.

Answer 113

**False**. This occurs due to ***decreased similarities within communities and subsequently decreased social connectivity*** (***which in turn reduces moral capital***).

Question 114

According to Jonathan Haidt, it is important to have a diverse array of intellectual opinions and ideological perspectives in any truth-seeking group (such as a governing board or a group of scientists) because our minds are hardwired to find reasonings to support the conclusions we've already reached (the rider going along with the elephant). Diversity is important. **In what ways is diversity dangerous to moral capital**?

Answer 114

Similarity of values/principles breeds social connectivity; diversity makes it more difficult for individuals to bond

Question 115

What is the opposite of Occam's razor?

Answer 115

**Occam's broom** (the process in which inconvenient facts are whisked under the rug by intellectually dishonest players)