Different political ideologies appeal to different moral foundations from "summary" of The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
Political ideologies are like religions in a sense. They are systems of interlocking beliefs that form a comprehensive view of the world. Just as religions are built upon moral foundations, so too are political ideologies. These moral foundations are the deep-seated values that guide our thinking and decision-making. It turns out that different political ideologies appeal to different moral foundations. Liberals, for example, tend to emphasize care and fairness. They are concerned with issues of harm and equality. Conservatives, on the other hand, have a broader moral palette. They value care and fairness, but also emphasize loyalty, authority, and sanctity. These moral foundations are not arbitrary or random. They are rooted in our evolutionary history. Care and fairness are universal values that promote cooperation and social harmony. Loyalty, authority, and sanctity, on the other hand, are more parochial values that promote group cohesion and social order. The key insight here is that our moral foundations shape our political beliefs. If you value care and fairness above all else, you are more likely to be a liberal. If you value loyalty, authority, and sanctity in addition to care and fairness, you are more likely to be a conservative. This understanding of moral foundations helps to explain why people on opposite ends of the political spectrum often seem to be talking past each other. They are operating from different moral frameworks. What seems obvious and self-evident to one side may be completely foreign and incomprehensible to the other. By recognizing the role that moral foundations play in shaping political beliefs, we can begin to bridge the divide between liberals and conservatives. Instead of demonizing the other side, we can strive to understand their underlying values and motivations. In doing so, we can foster a more constructive and empathetic dialogue that transcends political differences.
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