Published Jun 8, 2020

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Shankar Vedantam delves into the ethical complexities of altruism, favoritism, and moral decision-making, illustrating how personal narratives shape our understanding of responsibility, justice, and bias. Through thought-provoking discussions on issues like kidney donation and the trolley problem, the episode uncovers the tension between emotional and logical reasoning in moral dilemmas.

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Episode Highlights

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Dexa/Shankar Vedantam

Playing Favorites

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Moral Dilemmas Explored

Loyalty vs. Justice

Moral Decision Making

Moral Dilemmas Explored

Favoritism Uncovered

Unconscious Bias Revealed

Moral Circles Explored

Kidney Donation Journey

Moral Obligations Explored

Unseen Favoritism

Moral Dilemmas Explored

Moral Philosophies Clash

Moral Frameworks Explored

Expanding Our Circle

Episode Highlights

Altruism in Practice

Moral Decision Making

Favoritism Prevalence

Related Episodes

Justifying The Means

Moral Combat

When Doing Right Feels Wrong

The Choices Before Us

Radio Replay: The Mind of the Village

Escaping the Matrix

Revealing Your Unconscious: Part 1

Revealing Your Unconscious: Part 2

The Double Standard

Choose Carefully

A Conspiracy of Silence

Compassion

The Halo Effect

Episode 5: Compassion

Episode 43: The Perils of Power

Playing Favorites

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Altruism in PracticeDylan Matthews' kidney donation journey reveals the ethical dilemmas of altruism and the impact of personal narratives on societal values. The discussion expands to moral circles, exploring how we navigate our responsibilities to strangers and loved ones.

Altruism in Practice

Moral Decision MakingThe episode examines moral decision-making frameworks through dilemmas like the trolley problem, revealing the tension between emotional and logical reasoning. It also explores how loyalty can conflict with justice, leading to complex moral choices.

Moral Decision Making

Favoritism PrevalenceShankar Vedantam explores how acts of favoritism, often seen as kindness, can lead to unintended biases and societal harm. Through personal stories and studies, the episode reveals the moral complexities of treating some individuals preferentially.

Favoritism Prevalence

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