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