Jonathan Haidt is an American social psychologist and professor known for his work in moral psychology, political psychology, and cultural psychology. Born on October 19, 1963, Haidt has made significant contributions to understanding the foundations of morality and the role it plays in shaping human behavior.
His research focuses on the ways in which moral values, intuitions, and reasoning differ across cultures, political ideologies, and individuals. Haidt's work emphasizes the importance of emotions, intuition, and social influences in moral decision-making, challenging the traditional rationalist approach to morality.
Haidt is widely recognized for his theory of moral foundations, which posits that people possess multiple moral compasses, such as care versus harm, fairness versus cheating, loyalty versus betrayal, authority versus subversion, and sanctity versus degradation. These moral foundations vary between individuals and cultures, influencing their political beliefs and behavior.
Furthermore, Haidt has extensively explored the concept of moral diversity and explores how this diversity can improve institutions such as universities, where differing viewpoints can foster intellectual growth and understanding.
His contributions to psychology extend beyond moral psychology, as Haidt has also conducted research on the psychology of disgust, happiness, and the foundations of political ideology.
As an influential figure in the field, Haidt has authored numerous scientific papers, as well as several books, including "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion" and "The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom."
