A philosophical theory of jerks (with Eric Schwitzgebel)

Jun 1, 2022 1h 15m 16 insights Episode Page ↗
In this episode, Spencer Greenberg speaks with Eric Schwitzgabel about the surprising lack of correlation between studying ethics and ethical behavior, his empirical research on ethicists, and his theory of "jerks" and how to identify and potentially mitigate jerkish tendencies in oneself.
Actionable Insights

1. Check for “Jerk Goggles”

Periodically ask yourself if you are viewing others through “jerk goggles”—seeing them as fools or tools—and actively try to correct this perception to instead see their humanity, value, and individuality.

2. Strive for Ethical Alignment

Actively aim for ethical reflection and thought to improve your behavior and live up to your moral norms, rather than casually dismissing actions you know are ethical.

3. Bundle Valued Activities

Arrange your life to combine multiple values into a single action, such as exercising with your children, to achieve more of what you care about efficiently.

4. Align Ethics with Enjoyment

To sustain ethical behavior, find ways to bundle doing good with activities that make you feel good, as making ethical actions unpleasant will likely lead to doing them less often.

5. Choose Honesty Over Rationalization

If you fail to meet a moral standard, it’s better to acknowledge the stringent norm than to rationalize your behavior with excuses and bad arguments, demonstrating intellectual honesty.

6. Recognize Capacity for Sacrifice

Remember that you have the capacity to undertake highly unpleasant actions that would yield significant positive impacts, even if you choose not to.

7. Self-Assess Jerkish Tendencies

Asking yourself “Am I being a jerk?” is a sign that you are likely not a pure jerk, as a true jerk would not even consider the possibility.

8. Read Papers Skeptically

When reading scientific papers or studies, adopt a skeptical mindset, actively looking for flaws and problems rather than trusting the conclusions immediately.

9. Engage with Adversarial Debates

To gain deeper understanding, read different arguments and debates on a topic, as learning from adversarial exchanges often provides more insight than a single paper or literature review.

10. Promote Adversarial Collaborations

Actively seek or engage in adversarial collaborations where individuals with differing viewpoints work together on a paper or study to identify points of agreement and disagreement.

11. Assess Anecdotes Contextually

When evaluating anecdotes, consider their specific context and your trust in the source on that particular issue, as anecdotes divorced from context carry less reliable information.

12. Contextualize Contradictory Wisdom

Recognize that contradictory proverbs and anecdotes often reflect reality’s complexity, indicating that different truths apply in different contexts rather than a single universal truth.

13. Define “Jerk” Behavior

A “jerk” culpably fails to appreciate others’ intellectual and emotional perspectives, treating them as fools or tools rather than respecting them as peers and equals.

14. Increase Ethical Salience

Engage in prolonged philosophical thinking about ethical questions to make ethical choices more salient in your daily life, potentially influencing your behavior.

15. Avoid Do-Gooder Derogation

Be aware that conspicuous moral excellence can sometimes threaten others, leading to a phenomenon psychologists call “do-gooder derogation.”

16. Practice Spontaneous Discussion

Engage in conversations with minimal pre-preparation, focusing only on knowing the general topics and the guest’s rough views, allowing for more natural and spontaneous discussion.