Paul Bloom || The Joy of Suffering and the Downside of Empathy

The Psychology Podcast

iHeartPodcasts

Social Sciences, Science

4.4 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 January 2020

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today it's great to have Paul Bloom on the podcast. Dr. Bloom is the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale University. His research explores how children and adults understand the physical and social world, with special focus on morality, religion, fiction, and art. He is past-president of the Society for Philosophy and Psychology, and co-editor of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, one of the major journals in the field. Dr. Bloom is also author or editor of seven books, including Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion In this wide-ranging and provocative episode we discuss: Paul's graduate research with Steven Pinker Is language the result of biological evolution or cultural evolution? What "hardwired" really means Why innate mechanisms require environmental input The necessity of bias Some potential downsides of empathy The case for rational compassion Cognitive empathy vs. affective empathy Did Hitler have the capacity for empathy? The joy of suffering Why do we choose to suffer? The fundamental human need for exploration The human need to overcome challenges Would some people be content watching Netflix and smoking pot all day? The relationship between income and happiness The importance of spending money well The psychology of expectation and pleasure If someone offer you more money, should you take it? Relief vs. pleasure Does enjoying something depend on how much we think we will enjoy something? Art and authenticity Art and value judgements Would Tarzan believe in God? Are babies basically good? Why religion is so pervasive Are babies moral? How a powerful moral sense is responsible for an extraordinary amount of evil in the world Is moral grandstanding always bad? Why not everything is virtue signaling --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/support

Transcript

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0:00.0	You all time and know I'm a big fan of flow states of consciousness where we are
0:06.6	completely in tune with what we're doing and all time and concerns recede in the
0:11.1	background. This is why I'm excited about this new endeavor hosted by DJ music producer and software engineer Bobby Light. It's called Flow State and it's a new kind of show designed to help guide you into a deep state of focus.
0:25.0	Each episode provides 30 minute sections of uninterrupted music.
0:29.0	This is when you can focus on the task at hand.
0:31.0	The music sections are separated by five minute intermissions to remind you to take a break.
0:36.0	You can listen to Flow State now on Spotify.
0:40.0	Flow State was made using Anchor, a free creation tool brought to you by Spotify.
0:45.0	You can make your own talk show about music using your favorite Spotify songs.
0:49.0	Just download the free Anchor app or visit anchor app or visit anchor dot fm Welcome to the Psychology Podcast, where we give you insights into the mind, brain, behavior, and
1:07.2	creativity.
1:08.2	I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, and in each episode I have a conversation with a guest who will stimulate your mind and give you a greater understanding of yourself, others, and the world we live in.
1:18.0	Hopefully we will also provide a glimpse into human possibility. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast.
1:25.1	Today it's great to have Paul Bloom on the podcast.
1:31.0	Dr. Bloom is the Brooks and Suzanne Reagan professor of psychology
1:34.4	and cognitive science at Yale University. His research explores how children
1:38.2	and adults understand the physical and social world with special focus on morality,
1:42.4	religion, fiction fiction and art. He is past president of the society for philosophy and psychology and
1:47.4	co-editor of behavior and brain, behavioral and brain sciences, one of the major journals in the field.
1:53.0	Dr. Boom is also author editor of seven books, including against empathy, the case for rational
1:58.6	compassion.
1:59.6	What a delight to talk to you today, Dr. Bloom. Nice to see you again, Dr. Bloom.
	...

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