Philosophy

Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and the Gap Between Us and Them

Name: Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and the Gap Between Us and Them
Rating: 4.8 (1000 reviews)
Author: Joshua D. Greene

Joshua D. Greene

21 minAudio9 insights

What you'll learn

•The evolutionary basis of human morality and cooperation
•How dual-process theory explains moral judgment involving emotion and reason
•The challenges of intergroup moral conflicts and the Tragedy of Commonsense Morality
•Why utilitarianism serves as a universal moral framework or metamorality
•The nature and limits of moral intuitions and their neural underpinnings
•How to reconcile moral convictions with utilitarian reasoning
•Practical guidelines for moral decision-making in diverse societies

Who should read this

✓Philosophy students and scholars interested in moral theory
✓Psychologists and neuroscientists studying moral cognition
✓Policy makers and leaders navigating moral conflicts
✓Anyone interested in understanding the roots of moral disagreements

About this book

A scientific and philosophical exploration of morality that proposes utilitarianism as a universal framework to bridge tribal divides and resolve moral conflicts.

Did You Know?

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Joshua D. Greene was a debate champion in high school, which influenced his interest in moral philosophy.

Audio Summary

Section 1

The Roots of Our Moral Minds: Understanding Cooperation and Conflict

3:45

7 Sections

Preview: The Roots of Our Moral Minds: Understanding Cooperation and Conflict

Imagine a world where every individual acts solely for their own benefit, taking as much as they can from a shared pasture without regard for others. This scenario, known as the Tragedy of the Commons, reveals a fundamental challenge in social living: how to balance personal gain with collective well-being. When individuals overuse shared resources, the entire group suffers, illustrating that cooperation is not just a nicety but a necessity for survival. This dilemma has been with humanity since our earliest days, shaping the very fabric of morality.

To navigate this challenge, our ancestors developed what we now call moral emotions—automatic, evolved responses that guide behavior toward group-beneficial outcomes. Empathy compels us to feel others’ pain, guilt warns us when we violate social norms, and righteous indignation motivates punishment of those who cheat. These emotions function like internal moral compasses, steering us away from destructive selfishness without requiring constant deliberation.

The Prisoner's Dilemma, a classic game theory model, captures this tension between individual incentives and collective benefit. Two players must choose whether to cooperate or defect; mutual cooperation yields good outcomes, but the temptation to defect can lead to worse results for both. This model helps us understand why trust and moral instincts are vital for social harmony.

Yet, while these mechanisms work well within groups, they also sow the seeds of intergroup conflict. Different groups develop distinct moral codes—different 'automatic settings'—that can clash when groups interact. This sets the stage for the next challenge: how to live together peacefully on the new pastures where diverse tribes meet.

As we move forward, we will explore how our dual minds—fast, emotional intuitions and slow, reasoned deliberations—shape our moral judgments and how understanding this can help us bridge divides. But first, let us appreciate the roots of our moral minds and the evolutionary legacy that both binds and separates us.