Religion, Evolution and Self Ascendency: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt asks a simple, but difficult question: why do we search for self-transcendence? Why do we attempt to lose ourselves? In a tour through the science of evolution by group selection, he proposes a provocative answer.
Jonathan Haidt studies how -- and why -- we evolved to be moral. By understanding more about our moral roots, his hope is that we can learn to be civil and open-minded. His new book is "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion."
Other Videos That May Interest You:
Frans de Waal: Moral Behavior in Animals
Empathy, cooperation, fairness and reciprocity -- caring about the well-being of others seems like a very human trait. But Frans de Waal shares some surprising videos of behavioral tests, on primates and other mammals, that show how many of these moral traits all of us share.
The Adventures of a Cardboard Box
This short film tells the story of a boy who meets and befriends a large cardboard box, and was shot on a Nokia N8.
Einstein the Parrot: Talking and Squawking
This whimsical wrap-up of TED2006 -- presented by Einstein, the African grey parrot, and her trainer, Stephanie White -- simply tickles. Watch for Einstein's moment with Al Gore.
Diana Nyad: What will YOU do with your wild, precious life?
Diana Nyad set long-distance swim records that are still unbroken. Thirty years later, at 60, she attempted her longest swim yet, from Cuba to Florida. In this funny, powerful talk at TEDMED, she talks about how to prepare mentally to achieve an extreme dream, and asks: What will YOU do with your wild, precious life?
Meditating with Sarah McLean
Sarah McLean is passionate about teaching and sharing what she's discovered about the modalities of mind/body health, natural access to creativity, and self awareness.