The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine


EPISODE # 497

Kurt Gray — What Are We Really Fighting Over? Understanding Outrage Through Moral Psychology

In this episode, Kurt Gray offers a groundbreaking perspective on the moral mind, challenging the assumption that liberals and conservatives have radically different moral foundations.

Michael Shermer and Kurt Gray discuss moral psychology’s evolutionary roots, arguing harm perception underpins moral judgments. They critique frameworks like Moral Foundations Theory and explore societal divides, such as liberals’ and conservatives’ differing harm perceptions. Topics include moral emotions, the origins of cooperation, and the psychological underpinnings of taboo actions. Highlighting intuitive harm-based morality, they analyze conflicts like abortion and immigration, offering insights into bridging polarized ideologies through better understanding of human vulnerability and shared values.

This episode was released on January 14, 2025.

Skeptic Magazine App on iPhone

SKEPTIC App

Whether at home or on the go, the SKEPTIC App is the easiest way to read your favorite articles. Within the app, users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Download the app today and get a 30-day free trial subscription.

Download the Skeptic Magazine App for iOS, available on the App Store
Download the Skeptic Magazine App for Android, available on Google Play
SKEPTIC • 3938 State St., Suite 101, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105-3114 • 1-805-576-9396 • Copyright © 1992–2024. All rights reserved • Privacy Policy