Just Babies
By Paul Bloom
The Origins of Good and Evil. Crown Publishers, 2013.
Summary of Just Babies book by Paul Bloom
Research-driven data on human morality that examines such controversial topics as racism, religion, and violence, seeking to establish whether we’re born with morals or taught them by family, educators, and our environment.
Chapters in Just Babies book summary
What do i get from this book? Uncover the origins of morality and help children grow into compassionate adults
“Morality” is defined by a culture’s current beliefs, though psychological studies using the “looking-time method” suggest morality is inborn
The lack of moral sentiment, compassion, and empathy sets psychopaths apart from the rest of us
Babies sense pain and want to comfort, suggesting empathy and compassion are biological rather than environmental
Compassion, religion, and empathy on their own do not presume morality; revenge also factors in
Equality plays a large role in status and punishment, though adults are able to temper their feelings with reason
Racism develops from a desire for familiarity and “coalitions,” but it can be overcome using intelligence and good sense
The origins of “disgust” are debated by researchers, but illness, learned behavior, and immorality all play a part
Helping family and friends is often more important than helping strangers, though moral philosophers debate this idea
Acts of kindness are often more self-serving than altruistic, but logic allows us to control our actions
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Just Babies — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Just Babies book
- childcare workers
- psychologists
- sociologists
- child development students
About the author of Just Babies
Paul Bloom
Author and psychologist Paul Bloom teaches cognitive science and psychology at Yale University. Focused on the natural world versus the social one humans create for themselves, Bloom has innovated psychology with new, data-driven insights into how and why we behave the way we do. In 2002, he was awarded the Stanton Prize for his contributions to these areas.
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