Haidt on Culture, Politics, Religion, and Happiness

This is going to amount to a little free (and well deserved) advertising:

"...the second rule of moral psychology is that morality is not just about how we treat each other (as most liberals think); it is also about binding groups together, supporting essential institutions, and living in a sanctified and noble way. When Republicans say that Democrats "just don't get it," this is the "it" to which they refer."  Source: Haidt, Jonathan.  "What Makes People Vote Republican?"  Edge: The Third Culture, September 9, 2008: http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/haidt08/haidt08_index.html

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"It might seem obvious to you that contractual societies are good, modern, creative and free, whereas beehive societies reek of feudalism, fascism, and patriarchy. And, as a secular liberal I agree that contractual societies such as those of Western Europe offer the best hope for living peacefully together in our increasingly diverse modern nations (although it remains to be seen if Europe can solve its current diversity problems).

I just want to make one point, however, that should give contractualists pause: surveys have long shown that religious believers in the United States are happier, healthier, longer-lived, and more generous to charity and to each other than are secular people."  Source: Haidt, Jonathan.  "Moral Psychology and the Misunderstanding of Religion."  Edge: The Third Culture, n.d.: http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/haidt07/haidt07_index.html

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