The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt - Non Fiction - Paperback

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780141039169
Publisher: Penguin
Age Range: Adult / 18+

Overview:
The Righteous Mind is Jonathan Haidt's landmark exploration of why good, well-intentioned people end up on opposing sides of political and religious divides. Drawing on years of research in moral psychology, Haidt unpacks the hidden instincts that shape our sense of right and wrong, showing that reason is often the servant of intuition rather than its master. This paperback edition is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand today's polarised world with more empathy, nuance, and intellectual honesty than the usual shouting matches allow.

About the Book:
Written with clarity and wit, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion examines how moral reasoning frequently serves to justify group loyalties rather than uncover objective truth. Haidt draws on anthropology, evolutionary theory, and social psychology to demonstrate that morality is not a single universal code but a set of distinct foundations, including care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and sanctity, that people weigh differently depending on their political and cultural background. The book unfolds across three core arguments: intuitions come first and strategic reasoning second, morality is about more than harm and fairness alone, and human beings are simultaneously selfish individuals and group-oriented team players. Through vivid examples and cross-cultural studies, Haidt helps readers understand why conservatives, liberals, and libertarians often talk past one another, each operating from a distinct moral matrix. Rather than declaring one side correct, the book invites genuine curiosity about opposing viewpoints and offers practical tools for having more productive, less rancorous conversations about deeply held beliefs. It has influenced commentators, educators, and readers alike, offering a framework for understanding rather than demonising those who disagree.

Key Benefits:

• Accessible, evidence-based introduction to moral psychology
• Explains the roots of political and religious disagreement
• Ideal for readers of psychology, sociology, and politics
• Encourages empathy and more productive dialogue across divides
• Widely referenced modern classic of popular social science

About the Author:
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University's Stern School of Business. Known for shaping the modern field of moral psychology, his research investigates how emotion, culture, and intuition combine to form political and religious beliefs. Haidt is also the author of The Happiness Hypothesis and co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind and The Anxious Generation, both influential works exploring wellbeing and modern culture. His writing blends rigorous academic research with engaging, real-world storytelling, earning him a global readership and reputation for nuanced, trustworthy insight.

Why You'll Love This Book:
A genuinely eye-opening read for anyone tired of polarised debate, The Righteous Mind offers fresh understanding rather than easy answers. Perfect for book clubs, students, and curious minds wanting to bridge divides with empathy and evidence.

Please Note: Cover design may vary slightly from the image shown; this listing is for the UK paperback edition with the ISBN stated above.