For the longest time, questions about morality and human nature plagued me. Why do we have such vastly different moral matrices? Is morality innate or learned? Why are conservatives and liberals can't seem to get along...? I plunged into this book hoping to get some kind of a perspective. To at least get a push in the right direction and finally start my quest to answer those question. Now that I finished this book, I must say that I'm not disappointed.

This book is divided into three parts:

1 - Intuitions Come First, Strategic Reasoning Second:

In this part, Haidt argues against rationalism and in favor of intuitionism. Using a metaphor in which a rider (the rational) is controlled by the elephant (the emotional) and not the other way around. Our intuition makes the decisions, then our reason comes in to justify those decisions (Post Hoc Justification). Drawing on many studies, metaphors, anecdotes, and stories Haidt creates a host of compelling arguments in favor of the said theory.

2 - There is More To Morality Than Harm And Fairness:

Here, the author introduces us to the Moral Foundations Theory that explains the origins of morality and its diversity based on six innate foundations: Care/Harm, Fairness/Cheating, Loyalty/Betrayal, Authority/Subversion, and Sanctity/Degradation (he then adds another one in the last part called Liberty/Oppression). These foundations form "a first draft" that everyone is born with then they get revised according to cultural differences. Haidt then explains how conservatives use all the six foundations, while liberals only use three.

3 - Morality Binds and Blinds:

Finally, we are presented with evolutionary explanations on why we form morality and how it developed because of a multilevel selection (Individual and collective or groupish). We, humans, have switches that turn on in support of our tribalistic tendencies. As the author puts it, we're 90% chimps and 10% bees in the sense that we often seek to fulfill our self-interests (chimps) but we also look for what's best for the group (bees).

Overall, the book delivered more than expected it to. It is rich in information and an intriguing read.
Highly recommend it.