I read this book and found it informative. One aspect doesn't square with me. He describes 6 moral categories that people use. Care, fairness, liberty, loyalty, authority, and sanctity. He observes the right equally draw on all categories to shape their world view. The left draws on mostly one. Care. Now this describes some family members to a tee. Where I don't see any amount of care is when these seemly sane caring individuals start discussing politics. Then they get very uncaring if your right, or right of center, or in some cases right of where they occupy. This uncaring seems to be squared when an individual wins public office. If they truly cared they wouldn't double down on policies that prove to be destructive. They wouldn't be calling everyone racist. Where is the dividing line between "care" and the behavior we observe from the left today? Anybody else read this book? Did I miss something?

I haven't read the book but have watched/listened to several videos and podcasts featuring Haidt. He has a lot of great insights.

As far as your question, I would say generally leftists being 'uncaring" towards people to the right of them is because they view such people as part of the problem. We're part of the cause, or obstacles to the solutions to poverty, perceived racism, etc. In their eyes, you're either on the side of the oppressed, or the side of the oppressors, even if unwittingly.

Edit to add: Of course, also virtue signaling to their tribe is also a big factor.

Regarding them seeming to prefer policies that ultimately do more harm than good, I think their version of care is emotionally driven by a sense of empathy towards those they see as oppressed, and centered around trying to end/reduce the oppression/suffering as soon as possible. There is a sense of urgency to end perceived suffering/injustice NOW, by whatever means necessary because they themselve may feel discomfort.

You'd probably find Paul Bloom interesting. He makes the argument that empathy - feeling the pain of others - leads to bad policy, whereas rational compassion is more likely to lead to good policy.

He's been on Sam Harris podcast 3 times, I think. Here he talks about his book "Against Empathy." Fair warning: Harris at the least when through a TDS phase, and some of that may come out in this podcast.




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7O-9k3Qp5U

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rusbro,

Another thing I don't understand is why Haidt is such a lefty, considering the thesis of his book.

I would describe him as liberal yes, but left. I'm not sure. He would be one of those who would be destroyed for not being left enough really. He clearly states in his book he's a Democrat, and he lectures Democrats to try to appeal to all 6 moral foundations instead of one. The Care foundation. I asked him via Twitter what he thought of my observation that I don't see much "care" in the way the Democrats are playing full contact politics these days. He didn't answer me.