Professor Jonathan Haidt speaks at UCCS

Professor Jonathan Haidt explains some causes of a new moral culture of “safetyism,” and how these elements have contributed to the attitudes of current college students. This talk shares insights from his recent book "The Coddling of the American Mind," co-authored with Greg Lukianoff, and tries to explain recent changes on college campuses that include new types of student protests, restrictions on free speech, the rise of cancel culture. Prof. Haidt argues that the mental health of young people is at stake, because some of these trends show that students are engaging in cognitive distortions that can lead to anxiety and depression. He explains some of the potential causes of these changes, some of which relate to parenting and childhood, and young people not being allowed to take risks and experience failure.

This event took place in October 2019 at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), and was sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS).

The Institute for Humane Studies supports and partners with professors to promote the teaching and research of classical liberal ideas and to advance higher education’s core purpose of intellectual discovery and human progress.

[elizabethdallas]

I came here from a commercial and this is the most incredible thought analysis and processing I have heard in a while. I find it fascinating how he approached each aspect of the discussion in away that everyone should be able to understand and relate to in some way as these things are veered away from by some and just spoken about in a less clear way by others. I am extremely happy to have found this video.

[cateschrodinger]

A really brilliant dissection of the origins of the issues we are seeing today on college campuses, but also in our society at large and our political divide. With excellent solutions also. Great thanks to Professor Haidt for his diligent work and very incisive commentary, and his very genuine approach.

[talyahr]

Absolutely excellent. I just graduated university this year, I got my degree in Philosophy and while many people thought this was stupid I believe it is a strong reason why I am emotionally stronger than many others. I just sent this lecture to my friend who struggles with depression and anxiety and will work with her on CBT exercises. I also want to be a therapist! I work for an online therapy company now and the overlap between Philosophy and Psychology always brings me joy.

[JM-iged]

I stumbled across this talk - loved it! Highly recommend for all parents and educators

[AllanSitte]

This was an excellent presentation. Everyone can benefit from hearing the information Prof. Haidt discusses here.

[ericnoreensuzihill]

I read the book by Haidt and Lukianoff over a year ago and thought it was terrific. Haidt does a masterful job of summarizing the book in this video. These are momentous problems that desperately need to be addressed. I am recommending this video to family and friends. Eric Noreen

[sambobsam]

How does this not have millions of views??

[cassiobianconcini]

Prof Haidt is doing a fundamental job for the world

[christopherbarber]

This is probably the most important lecture of the last ten years

[baustin]

So proud of my alma mater for having him! Great talk

[JWS]

I've heard Jonathan Haidt a few times now and I'm encouraged to hear him making headway and actually getting to speak now as opposed to being canceled before he has a chance to.

[jackgoldman]

Jonathan Haidt is a genius and a world class teacher. What a great national treasure.

[MrMikeypch]

So full of wisdom. As someone who grew up riding horses through the forest with my siblings when we were 6 and 8 for miles un chaperoned I can attest that I mostly fearlessly go at a lot of challenges or even everyday activities like riding a bike and I always took it for granted that everyone else did the same. thru the years have come to understand people I've met who grew up more sheltered are much more apprehensive about even simple things like hiking up a small mountain.

[totaldla]

Some of the best thinking I've encountered.

[lilyroa]

PRICELESS!!! Sharing all day everyday!! TY Prof. 🙏🏼

[garyjaensch]

Genius!! 59 years of living with the results of abuse has disappeared because of principles like these, don’t let your mind be weakened.!

[neopunk]

Very good talk. This is incredibly important.

[iankclark]

I lived in Colorado Springs for a few years and I agree -- there's a lot of good will compared to many cities.

[Softouch]

Haidt jokes at 26:00 that fewer lawyers allows free exploration, however his tongue in cheek remark is closer to the truth than he is imagining. Our broken tort and civil liability laws, are in fact a great deal of the problem of fragility, since it elevates the individual over the societal needs. It magnifies any grievance without societal mediation.

[mieliav]

remember the 'everything I learned ... in kindergarten'? this reminded me of: 'sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me'.