The Righteous Mind By John Haidt

[GeorgeW]

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion Jonathan Haidt

http://www.amazon.co...47765376&sr=1-1

I think this is an important book for our discussions here. Not all of us will agree. Books like this may not make good chapter by chapter studies but GeorgeW can lead us here

 

Yes, I think this is an important book. It has been several months since I read it, but if enough others are interested in reading it and having a book discussion, I would gladly facilitate it.

 

I know that some here are interested in evolution and Haidt gives an evolutionary explanation for the various features of "the righteous mind."

 

George

[PaulS]

I'm in for Righteous Mind. I've read Putting Away Childish Things , which I loved, but I've seen Haidt mentioned a few times here so will be keen to get hold of a copy to discuss if agreed upon.

[glintofpewter]

Paul, George,

I think the three of us would be enough. I'll order my copy and let you know when it comes in.

 

Dutch

[PaulS]

I'll rustle up a copy too and advise when I have it.

[GeorgeW]

Dutch and Paul,

 

Sounds good, let's proceed with three. I hope others will join in with comments or questions (or also get the book) as we go along.

 

The books has three parts, with about 4 chapters per part. How about one part every two weeks? Too much, too little?

 

George

[PaulS]

That's good for me. Dutch?

[glintofpewter]

A good place to start, Paul, George.

Sept 26 guarantees amazon.

[GeorgeW]

Paul and Dutch,

 

Will you let us know when you get your books? We will start the discussions two weeks later.

 

George

[PaulS]

George & Dutch,

 

I've loaded my iPad and am ready to roll.

 

Cheers

Paul

[rivanna]

This book may be a little too anthropological for my background, but I like some of the Kindle sample chapter --

 

“I could have titled this book The Moral Mind to convey the sense that the human mind is designed to ‘do’ morality, just as it’s designed to do language, sexuality, music, and many other things…but I chose the title The Righteous Mind to convey the sense that human nature is not just intrinsically moral, it’s also intrinisically moralistic, critical, and judgmental. I want to show you that an obsession with righteousness is the normal human condition, a feature of our evolutionary design.…When I was a teenager I wished for world peace, but now I yearn for a world in which competing ideologies are kept in balance, systems of accountability keep us all from getting away with too much, and fewer people believe that righteous ends justify violent means.”

 

Also I just heard that Haidt is pronounced Hide, not Hate –so I like him better already :-)

[GeorgeW]

I chose the title The Righteous Mind to convey the sense that human nature is not just intrinsically moral, it’s also intrinisically moralistic, critical, and judgmental.

 

Yes, I think "moralistic" and "judgemental" are more descriptive than "moral." We make moral judgements which means that we are influenced in our decisions with intuitive considerations of right and wrong in addition to, or instead of, purely logical or pragmatic reasons.

 

George

[Neon Genesis]

I like book discussions but I feel like I always get burned out when I try to participate in it.

[glintofpewter]

I'm still waiting for my copy

[GeorgeW]

I'm still waiting for my copy

 

Just let us know when you get it and we'll start the clock (two weeks for the first part).

 

George

[jonnyb]

hi guys, thought the book looked really interesting so have downloaded to my kindle!

 

looking forward to the discussions

 

Jonny

[GeorgeW]

hi guys, thought the book looked really interesting so have downloaded to my kindle!

 

Great, welcome to the book club (actually, this particular book club).

 

George

[AnnieG]

I'd like to join in too. I will get an e-book so won't need to wait for delivery.

 

Annie

[glintofpewter]

I think the count down for the first chapter?, George, should start now. My book order took a wrong turn and I'll have to track it down.

[GeorgeW]

Okay, we'll start the clock and begin the discussions in two weeks.

 

George

[halinsalem]

I ordered a new "Kindle Paperwhite" that is due here on Oct 15th. I will order this book as soon as I get my new Kindle. I am scheduled for back surgery on Oct 25th, so I will have plenty of time to read while I am healing. This all sounds very interesting.

[GeorgeW]

Originally, I had thought we should take each of the major sections separately. But, as I go back through the book, there is so much material worth discussing, I am now thinking that we should go chapter by chapter.

 

What sayeth the book clubers? If so, I will post some summary material on the first chapter tomorrow to kick off the discussions.

 

George

[PaulS]

I like that idea, George.

[glintofpewter]

I agree with Paul.

[AnnieG]

That's fine with me too.

[GeorgeW]

There does not seem to be a great deal of interest in discussing the book. Should we proceed? If so, would any of the other readers like to do a summary of the next chapter, Chapter 3?

 

George