The Mattering Instinct (with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein)

The podcast explores the "mattering instinct," defined as the fundamental human longing to feel significant and worthy of attention. Philosopher Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, author of "The Mattering Instinct," discusses how this instinct originates from our biological resistance to entropy and manifests in various ways. The conversation covers four primary strategies for appeasing this longing: transcendent, social, competitive, and heroic striving. Goldstein and host Russ Roberts examine how the mattering instinct drives both individual motivation and societal divisions, noting its potential to lead to both ethical achievements and destructive behaviors. The discussion touches on the importance of family and social connections in fostering a sense of mattering and the dangers of unappeased longing on a large scale.