Are we raising a ‘snowflake’ generation? Jonathan Haidt & Andrew Wilson

The episode begins with a warm welcome from Justin Briley and discusses the show's broad reach via radio and podcast platforms. It highlights the recent response to a previous debate on gender roles in the church, featuring Phil Moore and Natalie Collins. Throughout the show, Justin introduces upcoming events including a live discussion at the University of Southampton and an interview with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The overall tone sets the stage for a thoughtful exploration of current issues at the intersection of faith, morality, and culture.

Justin Briley interviews Jonathan Haidt, a secular moral psychologist known for his books like ‘The Righteous Mind’ and ‘The Coddling of the American Mind,’ written with Greg Lukianoff. The conversation explores why interest in psychology and cognitive therapy has surged, particularly amidst rising depression and anxiety, and how culture influences moral thinking. Haidt explains the background of his recent book, which emerged from concerns over increasing fragility among students, largely driven by 'microaggressions' and 'safe spaces.' He critiques societal trends that treat children as fragile and the consequences of overprotection, such as reduced resilience and increased mental health issues.

Haidt outlines three significant cultural 'untruths': 1) 'What doesn’t kill me makes me weaker,' challenging the idea of anti-fragility; 2) 'Always trust your feelings,' which leads to catastrophizing and emotional reasoning; 3) 'Life is a battle between good and evil,' oversimplifying moral complexity. The interview discusses how these untruths shape behaviors in universities and wider society, fostering entitlement and fragility. Haidt emphasizes that these are recent developments, influenced by social media and overprotection, and criticizes the tendency to shield individuals from all discomfort, thereby undermining moral and emotional growth.

The discussion shifts to how moral education, especially within religious communities, plays a vital role in shaping character by engaging both the rational and intuitive sides of moral reasoning. Haidt highlights the importance of traditional habits, community practices, and religious teachings in cultivating virtues such as humility and service. Andrew Wilson reflects on how biblical and historical wisdom align with Haidt’s findings, citing examples from Jewish and Christian traditions. The conversation explores how moral formation through community and liturgical practices can counteract the fragility promoted by modern secular culture.

The conversation examines whether moral truths have an inherent rational foundation or are emergent from social and evolutionary processes. Haidt distinguishes his view that morality is somewhat emergent, evolving towards greater cooperation, rather than dictated by a higher transcendent order. He discusses the idea of humans being innately religious or spiritual and considers Pascal’s notion of a 'God-shaped hole.' Both panelists agree that there may be a transcendent aspect to moral longing, even if rooted in evolutionary development, and they explore how personal religious experiences can genuinely influence belief and moral conviction.