A groundbreaking new perspective on the moral mind that rewrites our understanding of where
moral judgments come from and how we can overcome the feelings of outrage that so often divide
us It’s easy to assume that liberals and conservatives have radically different moral
foundations. In Outraged Kurt Gray showcases the latest science to demonstrate that we all
have the same moral mind—that everyone’s moral judgments stem from feeling threatened or
vulnerable to harm. Although we all care about protecting ourselves and the vulnerable
conflict arises when we have different perceptions of harm. We get outraged when we disagree
about who the “real” victim is whether we’re talking about political issues fights with our
in-laws or arguments on the playground. In laying out a new vision of our moral minds Gray
tackles three common myths that prevent us from understanding ourselves and those around us.
For a long time it was commonly believed that our ancestors were apex predators. In reality
we were more hunted than hunter. This explains why our minds are hard-wired to perceive threats
and why we’re so preoccupied with danger. Gray also examines new research that finds that our
moral judgments are based more on gut feelings of harm than rational thought. We condemn acts
that feel harmful. Finally Gray refutes the idea that facts are the best way to bridge
divides. In moral and political arguments facts often fail to convince others of our point of
view since our moral judgments are based on our subjective beliefs not objective observations.
Instead sharing stories of personal suffering can help to create more common ground. In this
insightful tour of our moral minds Gray draws on groundbreaking research and fascinating
stories to provide a new explanation for our moral outrage and unpacks how to best bridge
divides. If you want to understand the morals of the “other side ” ask yourself a simple
question—what harms do they see?
