Humans are social beings, and we are happier, and better, when connected to others. Paul Bloom beingconnecthappy Change image and share on social
Some of the natural world is appealing, some of it is terrifying, and some of it grosses us out. Modern people don't want to be dropped naked into a swamp. We want to tour Yosemite with our water bottles and G.P.S. devices. The natural world is a source of happiness and fulfillment, but only when prescribed in the right doses. Paul Bloom appealbottledevice share on social
Part of the satisfaction of tattling surely comes from showing oneself to adults as a good moral agent, a responsible being who is sensitive to right and wrong. But I would bet that children would tattle even if they could do so only anonymously. They would do it just to have justice done. Paul Bloom adultagentanonymously share on social
Once we accept violence as an adaptation, it makes sense that its expression is calibrated to the environment. The same individual will behave differently if he comes of age in Detroit, Mich., versus Windsor, Ontario; in New York in the 1980s versus New York now; in a culture of honor versus a culture of dignity. Paul Bloom 1980sacceptadaptation share on social
Modern science tells us that the conscious self arises from a purely physical brain. We do not have immaterial souls. Paul Bloom arisebrainconscious Change image and share on social
It's really difficult working with kids and with babies because they are not cooperative subjects: they are not socialized into the idea that they should cheerfully and cooperatively give you information. They're not like undergraduates, who you can bribe with beer money or course credit. Paul Bloom babybeerbribe share on social
Families survive the Terrible Twos because toddlers aren't strong enough to kill with their hands and aren't capable of using lethal weapons. A 2-year-old with the physical capacities of an adult would be terrifying. Paul Bloom adultcapablecapacity share on social
You'd expect, as good Darwinian creatures, we would evolve to be fascinated with how the world really is, and we would use language to convey real-world information, we'd be obsessed with knowing the way things are, and we would entirely reject stories that aren't true. They're useless. But that's not the way we work. Paul Bloom conveycreaturedarwinian share on social
If our wondrous kindness is evidence for God, is our capacity for great evil proof of the Devil? Paul Bloom capacitydevilevidence Change image and share on social
Imagination tends to be truly useful if accompanied by the power of mental control - if the worlds in one's head can be purposefully manipulated and distinguished from the real one outside it. Paul Bloom accompanycontroldistinguish Change image and share on social