"Outraged: Why we Fight about Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground"

Moral outrage is everywhere, from social media to Congress. But it’s not because liberals and conservatives have different kinds of minds. We all share the same harm-based moral psychology: everyone wants to protect the vulnerable, but we see harm in different places—sometimes to individuals, sometimes to groups, traditions, or the nation itself.

In this Think Better talk, Kurt Gray (Ohio State University) will present how these different perceptions of harm fuel moral conviction and political division, and why bridging divides depends less on trading facts than on sharing experiences. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of the science of moral conflict, insight into your own moral mind, and practical skills for connecting across differences.

Attend In Person or Online

This hybrid event will be held in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.

If you prefer to attend the webinar version, please register here instead.

About Kurt Gray

Kurt Gray is a social psychologist and the Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in Social Psychology at the Ohio State University. He directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding, and leads the university’s new Collaborative for the Science of Polarization and Misinformation (C-SPAM). Kurt is the author of Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground and The Mind Club: Who Thinks, What Feels, and Why It Matters (with Daniel Wegner). His research on morality and division has appeared in top journals and has earned multiple scientific awards. Gray has been featured in major outlets through op-eds, podcasts, and interviews. He received his PhD from Harvard University.

Agenda

5:15pm - Doors open
5:30-6:00pm - Reception with beverages & hors d'oeuvres
6:00-7:00pm - Presentation and Q&A