Or rather, conservatives are from “Planet Durkheim,” a world described by University of Virginia psychologist Jonathan Haidt in his fascinating paper Planet of the Durkheimians. Haidt’s research into the emotional bases of morality has led him to a theory that posits five different innate human tendencies that form the building blocks for our systems of morality. In brief these are:
- Harm/care: our desire to care for each other and keep vulnerable people from harm.
- Fairness/reciprocity: our desire for fairness and justice.
- Ingroup/loyalty: our tendency to favor our friends and family over outsiders.
- Authority/respect: our tendency to organize ourselves into hierarchies.
- Purity/sanctity: our desire for transcendence and holiness.
Haidt’s thesis is that liberals tend to base their moral world view on considerations of harm/care and fairness/reciprocity, while pretty much disregard the other three clusters. Conservatives, on the other hand, use the other three clusters as well.
A number of lectures and podcasts feature Haidt and his work. They include:
- Jonathan Haidt interviewed by David Van Nuys on Shrink Rap Radio podcast #142.
- Jonathan Haidt discussing his work on the moral emotions of moral elevation, admiration, and awe on WGBH Forum network.
- Haidt’s colleague Jesse Graham discussing the “five foundations” theory of morality on WNYC Public Radio.
Filed under: 5-star professors, Idea of the week, Lectures, Psychology | Tagged: Jonathan Haidt
