Moral Combat

We often imagine that feelings of unhappiness come from outside us — in our circumstances or the difficult people in our lives. But what if the forces that erode our happiness come from within? Psychologist George Loewenstein joins us to explore why our minds nudge us toward the ... Show More

When historian Kate Bowler was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, she became fascinated by the ways people try to impose order on events they can't control. She joins us to explore what it means to live fully when life offers no satisfying explanation for the tragedies we may face. ... Show More

Think about the last time you had a discouraging thought. Maybe you told yourself, "This won't work. I'm not cut out for this." Did you take that thought as fact? Last week, we talked with psychologist Martin Seligman about why some people come to believe that their actions don’t ... Show More

<p>Dive into a profound exploration of morality with Teal Swan as she uncovers the often unseen pain and fear lurking beneath our rigid ideas of right and wrong. This episode challenges viewers to question their own moral certainties and consider the possibility that these belief ... Show More

In this episode, Tim Keller explores questions around morality. What is the basis for moral judgements? Can there be moral absolutes? Aren’t right and wrong just common sense? This talk was recorded before a live audience on April 4, 2019 in New York City. 

Moral and Political Philosophy: how should we live? What constitutes a just state? 

In a world of conflicting values, polarized opinions, and ever-shifting cultural norms, it’s no wonder morality feels... broken. In this episode of Rethink, Anderson, Sayenne, and Jose explore how our traditional moral frameworks are being challenged—from the decline of religious ... Show More

Michael Shermer and Jeff Sebo explore moral philosophy, focusing on animal rights, sentience, and consciousness. They discuss the definitions of morality, ethical pluralism, and the divide between consequentialism and deontology. The conversation examines who belongs in our moral ... Show More

“When it comes to moral judgments, we think we are scientists discovering the truth, but actually we are lawyers arguing for positions we arrived at by other means.” The surprising psychology behind morality is at the heart of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s research. He exp ... Show More

Movies and TV series increasingly feature leading characters that are morally repugnant, and yet we respond positively to their charisma. Why do we like them so much on screen? And is our emotional investment in their stories indicative of moral failure on our own part? This week ... Show More

This week, Jonesy and Ashto explore the concept of human nature and history from the perspective of moral psychology. The Righteous Mind examines why it’s difficult for us to get along and understands why society is so easily divided into hostile groups (each so certain of its ri ... Show More