Ep134 "What do brains teach us about morality?" with Joshua Greene

David Eagleman interviews Joshua Greene about the neuroscience and psychology of morality, exploring how our brains make moral judgments and the conflict between fast, intuitive emotional responses and slower, more deliberative reasoning. They discuss trolley problems, the impact of brain damage on moral decision-making, and the challenges of applying ancient moral instincts to modern global issues like pandemics and political tribalism. Greene shares his work on building "moral technologies," such as the Giving Multiplier platform and the Tango game, designed to promote cooperation and reduce polarization by expanding our circle of altruism and cooperation. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding our moral machinery to make better decisions and engineer cooperation in a complex world.

Outlines

Part 1: Evolutionary Roots, Moral Systems

Part 2: Modern Challenges, Metamorality

Part 3: Tools for Cooperation, Altruism

Part 4: Psychology, Future Outlook

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Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

Part 1: Evolutionary Roots, Moral Systems

Introduction to the Moral Brain and Cooperation

The Evolutionary Purpose of Morality and the Camera Analogy

Brain Damage, Psychopathy, and Buddhist Monks: Exploring Moral Judgments

Part 2: Modern Challenges, Metamorality

Modern Moral Dilemmas and the Tragedy of the Commons

Advising Governments and the Power of Strategic Charitable Giving

Part 3: Tools for Cooperation, Altruism

Giving Multiplier and Pods Fight Poverty

Follow-up Studies and Expanding the Circle of Altruism

Tango: A Game to Bridge Political Divides

Part 4: Psychology, Future Outlook

Anonymity, Moral Psychology, and a Hope for Change

Eagleman's Summary and Call to Action

Podcast Information and Outro

Ep134 "What do brains teach us about morality?" with Joshua Greene

Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

Part 1: Evolutionary Roots, Moral Systems

00:05Introduction to the Moral Brain and Cooperation

Introduction to the Moral Brain and Cooperation

08:22The Evolutionary Purpose of Morality and the Camera Analogy

The Evolutionary Purpose of Morality and the Camera Analogy

17:42Brain Damage, Psychopathy, and Buddhist Monks: Exploring Moral Judgments

Brain Damage, Psychopathy, and Buddhist Monks: Exploring Moral Judgments

Part 2: Modern Challenges, Metamorality

23:32Modern Moral Dilemmas and the Tragedy of the Commons

Modern Moral Dilemmas and the Tragedy of the Commons

36:18Advising Governments and the Power of Strategic Charitable Giving

Advising Governments and the Power of Strategic Charitable Giving

Part 3: Tools for Cooperation, Altruism

47:41Giving Multiplier and Pods Fight Poverty

Giving Multiplier and Pods Fight Poverty

55:57Follow-up Studies and Expanding the Circle of Altruism

Follow-up Studies and Expanding the Circle of Altruism

1:04:12Tango: A Game to Bridge Political Divides

Tango: A Game to Bridge Political Divides

Part 4: Psychology, Future Outlook

1:18:45Anonymity, Moral Psychology, and a Hope for Change

Anonymity, Moral Psychology, and a Hope for Change

1:22:44Eagleman's Summary and Call to Action

Eagleman's Summary and Call to Action

1:26:51Podcast Information and Outro

Podcast Information and Outro