Jonathan Haidt at a Glance

Full Name: Jonathan David Haidt

How to Pronounce: JON-uh-thun HYTE

Born: October 19, 1963

Nationality: United States

Education:

• Yale University (BA, Philosophy)
• University of Pennsylvania (MA, PhD, Psychology)

Genres:

• Nonfiction
• Psychology
• Sociology

Biography & Background

Jonathan Haidt Biography

Jonathan Haidt is an American social psychologist who has written several works for popular audiences. Raised in Scarsdale, New York, Haidt studied philosophy as an undergraduate at Yale. This choice anticipated his later career in moral psychology; his doctoral research focused on the ethics of disgust, and his 2006 work The Happiness Hypothesis contextualizes the ideas of various philosophical and religious figures—Plato, the Buddha, etc.—in light of modern psychology. Haidt is also a pioneering figure in moral foundations theory, which considers the evolutionary underpinnings of human moral instincts, often with a focus on seeking to explain individual and group differences in ethical reasoning or behavior. This was the subject of Haidt’s 2012 work The Righteous Mind, which applies moral foundations theory to political and religious divisions in US society.

Haidt, a self-described centrist, believes that both the right and left have become intransigent and emotionally driven (Kelly, Jemima. “Jonathan Haidt: ‘We Got Fooled into Thinking Liberal Democracy Is Easy.’” Financial Times, 29 Apr. 2022). In response, he has involved himself in several efforts to reduce polarization by promoting open conversation; this is the primary goal of the Constructive Dialogue Institute, which Haidt cofounded.

Haidt has also published two more books for general audiences, both concerned with child development and US culture writ large: The Coddling of the American Mind (2018) and The Anxious Generation (2024). Haidt currently works at New York University’s Stern School of Business, having previously spent 16 years at the University of Virginia.

Fun Facts About Jonathan Haidt

• After graduating from Yale, Haidt worked as a computer programmer before returning to school (Gallagher, Brian. “The Well-Meaning Bad Ideas Spoiling a Generation.” Nautilus, 6 Mar. 2019).
• Haidt’s dissertation on disgust and moral response was entitled “Moral Judgment, Affect, and Culture, or, Is It Wrong to Eat Your Dog?”
• While writing, Haidt likes to snack on Fritos (“Interview with Jonathan Haidt.” Maxraskin.com, 15 Jun. 2024).

Jonathan Haidt’s Awards & Honors

• 2019 — American Academy of Arts and Sciences inductee
• 2023 — Barry Prize from the American Academy of Sciences & Letters

Interviews & Podcasts

Hear from Jonathan Haidt in his own words.

Interviews with Jonathan Haidt

_{THE NEW YORKER}

Jonathan Haidt Wants You to Take Away Your Kid’s Phone (April 20, 2024)

Haidt outlines his research on social media’s impact on adolescent development, arguing for delayed smartphone use and stronger digital boundaries for teens. The interview sheds light on the key arguments in The Anxious Generation and offers practical advice for parents and educators.

_{THE ATLANTIC}

Jonathan Haidt Is Trying to Heal America’s Divisions (May 24, 2020)

Haidt reflects on America’s growing political polarization and how his work in moral psychology can help foster cross-ideological dialogue. This interview provides valuable context for his efforts to depolarize US institutions and civic culture.

Podcasts with Jonathan Haidt

_{HIDDEN BRAIN}

Escaping the Matrix (March 11, 2024)

In this episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, Haidt explores how moral psychology influences our tribal thinking and political biases. He connects evolutionary theory with modern media dynamics to explain how we get “trapped” in ideological echo chambers.

_WBUR

Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt on Democracy, Social Media and How to Fix America’s “Ailing” Institutions (April 25, 2022)

This timely episode of On Point—the podcast of WBUR, Boston’s equivalent to NPR—covers tech, discourse, and public trust. Haidt discusses the influence of social media on democracy, drawing on research from The Coddling of the American Mind and his collaboration with the Constructive Dialogue Institute.

Jonathan Haidt Quotes

Morality binds and blinds. It binds us into ideological teams that fight each other as though the fate of the world depended on our side winning each battle. It blinds us to the fact that each team is composed of good people who have something important to say.

— The Righteous Mind (2012)

Education should not be intended to make people comfortable; it is meant to make them think.

— The Coddling of the American Mind (2018)

The human mind is a story processor, not a logic processor.

— The Righteous Mind (2012)

We let the internet and social media take over the garden. We have left young people to grow up in digital social networks rather than in communities where they can put down roots.

— The Anxious Generation (2024)

I have a lot of respect for liberalism, but there’s a lot of illiberalism on the left, and I have a lot of respect for conservatism, but there’s not much conservatism left on the right.

— interview with Financial Times (Jonathan Haidt: “We Got Fooled into Thinking Liberal Democracy Is Easy,” 2022)

Notable Books by Jonathan Haidt

The Happiness Hypothesis (2006)

Haidt’s first published book examines timeless philosophical ideas—from Plato to the Buddha—through the lens of modern psychology. With a narrative style that bridges science and storytelling, Haidt offers practical insight into how people find meaning, happiness, and purpose.

The Righteous Mind (2012)

This book expands Haidt’s work on moral foundations theory, exploring how intuition and emotion drive ethical reasoning. Haidt examines why liberals and conservatives think differently, offering a framework for understanding political and religious divides. The book is foundational for readers interested in psychology, civics, and persuasion.

Uncover more about this book with SuperSummary’s study guide.

The Coddling of the American Mind (2018)

Co-authored with Greg Lukianoff, this book investigates trends in education, mental health, and discourse that Haidt believes have left younger generations unprepared for complexity and disagreement. The authors argue that overprotection has stifled the resilience and intellectual development of America’s youth.

Want to learn more? Dive into SuperSummary’s study guide.

Authors Like Jonathan Haidt

Steven Pinker

Recommended Read: Enlightenment Now (2018)

Pinker’s data-rich defense of science, reason, and progress counters cultural pessimism with empirical optimism. Like Haidt, Pinker combines accessible prose with intellectual rigor to examine how worldviews are shaped by history and psychology.

Uncover more with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Yuval Noah Harari

Recommended Read: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018)

Harari tackles global challenges—from artificial intelligence to nationalism—to examine how human cognition and historical patterns shape the future. Readers drawn to Haidt’s cultural analysis and moral philosophy will appreciate Harari’s broad scope and thought-provoking inquiries.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Robert M. Sapolsky

Recommended Read: Behave (2017)

Sapolsky explores human behavior from a biological perspective, tracing how genetics, hormones, and culture influence decision-making. Like Haidt, he investigates why people act the way they do—though his focus is grounded in neuroscience rather than psychology and sociology.

Ready to dig in? Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Follow Jonathan Haidt

Connect with Jonathan Haidt on the following platforms:

• Website: jonathanhaidt.com
• Facebook: Jonathan Haidt
• Instagram: @jonathanhaidt
• Threads: @jonathanhaidt
• X: @JonHaidt
• YouTube: @JonathanHaidt1
• Bluesky: @jonathanhaidt
• Substack: After Babel