Ethics · Civilization · Emotions
Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene — Summary, Key Ideas & Quotes
2013422 pages✦ 3-min Big ideas★ 4.0 (2)
Rate it
What is Moral Tribes about?
Our brains were designed for tribal life, for getting along with a select group of others (Us) and for fighting off everyone else (Them). But modern times have forced the world's tribes into a shared space, resulting in epic clashes of values along with unprecedented opportunities. As the world shrinks, the moral lines that divide us become more salient and more puzzling. We fight over everything from tax codes to gay marriage to global warming, and we wonder where, if at all, we can find our common ground. In this grand synthesis of neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy, a pathbreaking neuroscientist reveals the underlying causes of modern conflict and lights the way forward.--From publisher description.
A glimpse inside
The Dual-Process Mind: Automatic vs. Manual
Greene argues that our brains operate with two moral systems: an intuitive, automatic mode shaped by evolution for small-group living, and a slower, more deliberative 'manual mode' that allows for reasoned consideration. The automatic system excels at fostering cooperation within groups but struggles with conflicts between groups. Understanding when to rely on instinct and when to engage in reflective reasoning is crucial for addressing moral dilemmas in pluralistic societies.
Tragedy of Commonsense Morality
A central thesis is that the real challenge isn't selfishness, but the collision of different groups' moral codes—what Greene calls the 'tragedy of commonsense morality.' Each tribe believes its values are self-evidently right, but these values often clash, leading to intractable disputes over issues like religion, politics, and social policy. Recognizing this tragedy helps explain why good people can disagree so profoundly and persistently.
Ratings at a glance
Open Library
★ 4.0 / 5
2 ratings
✦
Get smart in 3 min
6 key ideas, distilled
- 1The Dual-Process Mind: Automatic vs. Manual
- 2Tragedy of Commonsense Morality
- 3Utilitarianism as a Meta-Morality
- 4The Limits of Moral Intuition
- 5Building Moral Common Ground
Popular quotes from Moral Tribes
“The problem is not that people are selfish. The problem is that people are tribal.”
“Morality evolved to enable cooperation, but it does so within groups, not between them.”
Frequently asked
Our brains were designed for tribal life, for getting along with a select group of others (Us) and for fighting off everyone else (Them). But modern times have forced the world's tribes into a shared space, resulting in epic clashes of values along with unprecedented opportunities. As the world shrinks, the moral lines that divide us become more salient and more puzzling. We fight over everything