Comment

After reading The Righteous Mind, I felt truly awakened. I realized that my previous thoughts on morality, politics, and religion were quite limited. In fact, I used to think that the opinions of others on moral or political issues were difficult for me to understand, or even impossible. However, through this book, I came to understand that morality is a complex structure that goes beyond the simple dichotomy of 'right' and 'wrong.' Jonathan Haidt argues that our moral judgments are influenced not only by rational thinking but also by our intuitions and emotions, which are shaped by evolutionary and cultural factors. When he explained the six foundations of morality, it was a real shock for me. Particularly, I was able to understand how things I had unconsciously not considered important could be moral principles for others. For example, principles like devotion, authority, and sanctity, which had seemed irrelevant to me, are actually deeply significant to many people's moral framework. This reminded me that when I disagree with others, instead of simply criticizing or ignoring them, I should try to understand their perspective more deeply. Additionally, this book provided me with a new tool to understand human psychology and social phenomena. Now, when I listen to others' opinions, I try to understand which moral foundation they come from and why they think the way they do. Jonathan Haidt's insights about moral psychology have given me a more compassionate and nuanced approach to conversations on contentious issues. Most importantly, this book reminded me of the value of conversation and cooperation with others. I realized that understanding and compromise are crucial first steps in reducing social divides and creating a better world. He emphasizes that, despite our differences, we share many common moral foundations, and acknowledging these can help bridge divides. The Righteous Mind expanded my perspective and made me a more tolerant and understanding person. After reading it, I feel ready to view my own opinions and values differently and more open to communication with others. --Nathan, a PCPL Virtual Volunteer