The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph Henrich

March 19, 2023

The Unsafe Space book club discusses “The WEIRDest People in the World” by Joseph Henrich, a provocative account of how the co-evolution of psychology and culture created the peculiar Western mind that has profoundly shaped the modern world. The discussion explores the origins and evolution of family structures, marriage, and religion, and the profound impact these cultural transformations have had on human psychology. Through cutting-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology, Joseph Henrich illuminates the shifts through ancient history and late antiquity that gave rise to the WEIRD psychology that coevolved with impersonal markets, occupational specialization, and free competition, laying the foundation for the modern world. Participants are gaining a deeper understanding of the forces that drive human history and challenging their assumptions about the peculiarities of Western culture.


Links Referenced in the Show:

The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph Henrich
https://amzn.to/3h97faz


About Book Club

The Unsafe Space Book Club is an opportunity for members of the community to read and then get together to discuss interesting or relevant books, both fiction and non-fiction. Books are selected when a community member advocates for a book and volunteers to lead the discussion. Book Club discussions always begin with the advocate’s case for why a book was selected, as well as a general summary, before opening the discussion to other participants.

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