The Righteous Mind | Jonathan Haidt | Talks at Google

In his new book, "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion", Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of morality and its basis in politics and religion. In this talk, given during his visit to the Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA, Jonathan provides an introduction to the core themes of the book, particularly as they apply to the "hive-like" mode of operation of Google, Zappos, and many other successful organizations. He investigates the question of why some successful organizations operate like wolf packs, others like beehives. And he links several theories from the natural sciences, religion, and philosophy to try to explain how and why humans can be far more "groupish" than "selfish".

Jonathan Haidt is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and a visiting professor of business ethics at New York University's Stern School of Business. He is the author of "The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom.

[BrewerArts]

This should have a bajillion likes. So many ideas as relevant several years later as they were then or ever before. Haidt is a voice the world desperately needs to hear.

[Sourdoughgirl]

Oh back in 2012 Google was still in sheep's clothing.

[steeltrap]

And now we have the Damore memo and firing.
Oh the irony.

[JimmyDThing]

Wow, Damore's memo outed of the problems with too much hivesness that Haidt outlines at 29:56.

[HaZZb]

That herd vs pack idea is so interesting, I’d never thought about that but it seems so obvious

Animals which graze don’t need to cooperate to any higher goal because their food is readily there on the ground.

Pack animals like wolves need to co operate to hunt.

[NirvanSengupta]

"The Selfish Gene" is very often misunderstood as saying that "humans are selfish genetically". The title is actually anthropomorphizing the gene and saying "genes are selfish" -- individual genes are competing with one another and, via protein expression, construct elaborate biochemical networks and macro-molecular structures to protect themselves and ensure that they're able to self-replicate. This novel paradigm gives insight into the transition between a-biotic chemistry into self-replicating "living" chemical structures.

[Oldcoots]

Every American should hear this lecture so they can save the civilization from ourselves and our offspring.

[gpon]

This reminds me of the movie “fight club” and how he created a group in all over the world without people knowing each other personally

[Emmastayofftheinternet]

I am part Maori and every time I see the Haka performed before a match I get the chills. so much pride for my country

[Bighomer]

Usually I skip the Q&A sessions, but here it's highly interesting.

[pedrodemo]

very good author; combines well research and goog writing; innovatve.

[lauracarreira]

Sometimes a person needs a moral slap. Real, factually statements. Morality is dealing with truth, issues and finding out you are not the center of life.

[Achrononmaster]

At about 33 min, I have to comment: gossip is nasty and totally unnecessary, and violates many ethical principles, especially the golden rule. So I would never recommend encouraging gossip as a healthy way to punish freeriders. It is much healthier to have frank open consultation where people have a fair chance to defend themselves. For instance, often introverts are seen as not team players, but when investigated can be seen to be more productive and valuable to a team than loud mouth extroverts (who no doubt also have value).

[Tsnore]

Haidt has argued that denying the kernels of truth in stereotypes is tantamount to denying slices of reality.

[KCapp]

A lecture on hives and bees would fill a dearth in critical internet content

[andrewhartmann]

Autographed copy for I feel so cheated now :P Great work and a great speaker!!!!

[goodtalker]

Good coaches know exactly what Jonathan is talking it many times. It's a spiritual leadership kind of thing. It wins championships.

[lizgichora]

Thank you for covering the trade and commerce in Hivish cooperation, Moral Psychology.

[JorgeOstos]

Hi everyone. Could anybody please help me on how can I translate into Spanish the terms "hivishness" and "awe" in the context Dr. Haidt spoke of them?

[deplorablecovfefe]

Everyone is moral until selfishness benefits us in some way. Then anything can become acceptable to get that benefit.