Evolution, Language, and Morality
Dr. Paul Bloom is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University. Paul studies how children and adults make sense of the world, with special focus on language, pleasure, morality, religion, fiction, and art. He is the author of seven books, including his latest Psych: The Story of the Human Mind.
In this episode, we sample some of the many, many topics covered in Psych, including Freud, evolutionary psychology, language development, moral development, and social cognition. We also talk about Paul’s early research on language development and moral cognition, my own research on pubertal hormones and brain development, and the meta-psychology of what makes podcasts interesting.
The Evolution of Language
We by discussing Dr. Bloom’s early research on language evolution, particularly his groundbreaking article with Steven Pinker on natural language and natural selection. He explains that their goal was to challenge the prevailing views at the time, which suggested that language evolved through general patterns of communication or pattern recognition, rather than through natural selection. Drs. Bloom and Pinker argued that language is indeed an evolved adaptation, just like other traits in the animal kingdom. They emphasized that the ability to communicate through language is a unique and specialized feature of the human mind, shaped by the forces of natural selection.
Reflecting on the controversy surrounding their article, Dr. Bloom highlights the strong influence of certain views that rejected the role of natural selection in explaining the evolution of the mind. He notes that the field has since moved away from these views, recognizing the importance of specialized systems in the brain and the role of natural selection in shaping cognitive abilities. Dr. Bloom also acknowledges the role of culture in language development, noting that the relationship between language and natural selection is complex and multifaceted.
According to Dr. Bloom, "Language is a product of natural selection, just like other traits in the animal kingdom. It is a unique and specialized feature of the human mind, shaped by the forces of natural selection."
We then explore the parallels between developmental psychology and evolutionary psychology, particularly in terms of brain development and cognitive abilities. He explains that the early stages of brain development in children mirror the evolutionary stages of human development. Dr. Bloom states, "The early stages of brain development in children mirror the evolutionary stages of human development. As children grow and mature, they progress through the same stages that our distant ancestors did, gradually acquiring more advanced cognitive abilities and higher levels of self-control and rationality."
Social Cognition and Moral Development
While Dr. Bloom initially focused on language development in his research, he became increasingly interested in the role of social understanding and theory of mind in word learning. This eventually led him to explore moral development, an area that he had always been interested in but had not previously studied. Collaborating with researchers like David Pizarro and Karen Nguyen, Dr. Bloom delved into the relationship between morality and emotions like disgust, as well as the development of moral reasoning in children.
According to Dr. Bloom, "While there is evidence to suggest that conservatives tend to be more disgust-sensitive than liberals, the relationship between disgust and moral disapproval is not straightforward. Cultural and societal norms play a significant role in shaping our moral judgments, and the correlation between disgust sensitivity and moral disapproval may vary across different contexts." However, he also notes that the relationship between disgust and moral disapproval is not straightforward and can be influenced by various factors. For example, cultural and societal norms play a significant role in shaping our moral judgments, and the correlation between disgust sensitivity and moral disapproval may vary across different contexts.
Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Moving on to the topic of free will, Dr. Bloom shares his perspective as a compatibilist, someone who believes that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive. He argues that while we may not have metaphysical free will or the ability to step outside the causal world, we still make choices and are morally responsible for our actions in a practical sense. He acknowledges the role of choice and intention in moral judgments, noting that notions of moral responsibility often involve assumptions of some degree of freedom to act.
Dr. Bloom also discusses the challenges of studying free will and moral responsibility, particularly in the context of developmental psychology. He highlights the importance of understanding how children develop their understanding of free will and moral responsibility, as well as the cultural and societal factors that shape these concepts. While he acknowledges that there is still much to learn in this area, he believes that the study of free will and moral responsibility is crucial for understanding human behavior and promoting ethical decision-making.
Dr. Bloom states, "While we may not have metaphysical free will or the ability to step outside the causal world, we still make choices and are morally responsible for our actions in a practical sense. Notions of moral responsibility often involve assumptions of some degree of freedom to act."
From Freud to Modern Psychology
Reflecting on the influence of historical figures like Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bloom acknowledges the significant impact they have had on the field of psychology. While many of Freud's specific theories have been debunked, his fundamental idea of the dynamic unconscious and the role of unconscious processes in shaping behavior and beliefs remains influential. Dr. Bloom credits Freud with bringing attention to the complexity of the human mind and the importance of understanding the unconscious factors that drive our thoughts and actions.
Dr. Bloom also highlights the shift towards empirical research and data-driven approaches in modern psychology. He acknowledges the limitations of relying solely on intuition and psychoanalytical theories, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific investigation to advance our understanding of the human mind. He encourages researchers to embrace the empirical approach and continue to explore the complexities of human psychology through systematic observation and experimentation.
Dr. Bloom concludes, "The future of psychology lies in our ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice, using empirical research to inform our understanding of the human mind and improve the lives of individuals and communities worldwide."