“Why Our Tribal Brains Can't Handle a Global World”
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Title: Moral Tribes
Author: Joshua Greene
Category: Culture & Society
Why are humans so good at cooperating inside our own groups but so bad at getting along with everyone else? That's the puzzle Joshua Greene's 'Moral Tribes' sets out to solve, and Sam and Sophie dig into why our gut instincts for right and wrong break down when we cross group lines. They walk through Greene's dual-process theory of moral judgment—the fast, emotional System 1 versus the slow, rational System 2—using the classic trolley problem to show how our brains react differently to the same dilemma. Then they explore his solution: a common currency called 'deep pragmatism,' a form of utilitarianism that helps us resolve conflicts when our tribal intuitions clash, along with practical tools like moral humility and moral reasoning. If you've ever been baffled by political debates or wondered why people see the world so differently, this episode names the deep psychological roots and offers a way forward. The takeaway: moral progress is possible, but only if we combine our caring instincts with careful thinking. Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene. For the full written summary and thousands of other titles, check out the 7 Minute Books app at 7minutebooks.com/app—unlimited access from $2.99 a month, $9.99 a year, or $19.99 lifetime.
Chapters
00:00The Tragedy of Common-Sense Morality01:32Dual-Process Theory and the Trolley Problem02:51Deep Pragmatism as a Common Currency04:05Moral Humility and Imagination05:18Emotion and Reason Working Together
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