Puzzle piece that represents critical thinkers in episode with Andy Norman Ph.D. & Allen Buchanan Ph.D.

Cognitive Immunity: The Moral Mind of Critical Thinkers

Original Air Date Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Most people want to be happy. Yet, the moral fabric of society lays prey to degradation caused by our evolutionary need to tribalize. The reduction of our critical thinking abilities allows for mind parasites to take hold and inhibit well-being. Is it possible to inoculate our minds and make them immune to untruths and bad ideas that spread through social media?

To unveil mental methods that keep our minds happy and healthy amidst the barrage of media input we receive, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about their books on the subject.

Andy Norman created a new spin on aged philosophy to vaccinate minds. He shares key takeaways from his book, Mental Immunity.

Allen Buchanan recounts key chapters from his book, Our Moral Fate: Evolution and the Escape from Tribalism and discusses the shaky ground on which democracy sits.

Tune in:

Lisa Cypers Kamen · Cognitive Immunity: The Moral Mind of Critical Thinkers

Meet Our Guests:

Mental Immunity: For the Passionately Ignorant and Willfully Disinformed with Andy Norman PhD & Renata Salecl PhD

Andy Norman, Ph.D. teaches philosophy and directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. Andy authored the popular “Brainstormin” column for the Humanist Network News and works at understanding how ideologies corrupt moral understanding. His work has appeared in Free Inquiry, Essays in the Philosophy of Humanism, and dozens of other journals. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife of 20 years, two fascinating kids, and a dog.

Book: Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think

Andy Norman — Cognitive Immunity:

Andy discusses the mind’s immune system, mind parasites, and does a thought experiment with Lisa. {1:55}
The Socratic method is a powerful mind inoculant and if modified can become a mind vaccine. {6:37}
How to have conversations with a cranky uncle or anyone else who has a limited worldview. {10:04}
In his book, Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think, Andy identifies six ideas that have taken root in our minds. {14:20}
The New Socratic method, including deep listening, is a tool of immunology to vaccinate the mind. {19:04}
Curiosity towards others builds connection and promotes happiness. {23:37}

Follow Andy Norman:

Cognitive Immunity: The Moral Mind of Critical Thinkers with Andy Norman Ph.D. & Allen Buchanan Ph.D.

Allen Edward Buchanan is a Professor of philosophy at the University of Arizona and also a professor of the Philosophy of International Law at the Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College, London. He received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975. He now researches for The University of Arizona.

Book: Our Moral Fate: Evolution and the Escape from Tribalism

Allen Buchanan — The Moral Mind of Critical Thinkers:

Allen describes the evolution of tribalism and the evolutionary purpose for grouping people into us versus them. {28:11}
How tribalism places democracy at risk. {30:55}
Tribalism is the death of individuality. {35:32}
Allen reflects on how the talking heads of major media companies use aspects of tribalism to create fear. {38:53}
Turning the tide: How we can avoid confirmation bias and supreme emergency framing to find our own answers. {43:42}

Shareables:

“Our minds have immune systems that protect us to a degree.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Infodemics are a real phenomenon that can skew our thinking in ways that harm us all.” @DrAndyNo on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Tribalism involves sorting and signaling. You sort the world into us versus them.” Allen Buchanan on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “I think tribalism is destroying democracy in this country.” Allen Buchanan on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.