What is the main message of The Power of Ideals?

The main message of The Power of Ideals is the profound impact of values and ideals on our lives.

Who is the author of The Power of Ideals?

The authors of The Power of Ideals are William Damon and Anne Colby.

Motivation & Inspiration

The Power of Ideals Book Summary - The Power of Ideals Book explained in key points

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The Power of Ideals summary

Name: The Power of Ideals
Rating: 4.5 (31 reviews)
Author: William Damon and Anne Colby

William Damon and Anne Colby

The Real Story of Moral Choice

4.5 (31 ratings)

20 mins

Brief summary

'The Power of Ideals' by William Damon and Anne Colby explores the importance of having a sense of purpose and strong moral ideals, and how they can contribute to a fulfilling and successful life. It offers insight into the development of these ideals in individuals and society.

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Table of Contents

The Power of Ideals
Summary of 8 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? Discover the human moral sense and see how science fails to acknowledge it.

In recent years, modern psychology and the social sciences have put forward a new framework of study, calling it the “new science of morality.”

This new thinking supposes that human moral traits are similar to physical traits, such as height or hair color, in that we have no conscious control over them. So if we’re “good,” it’s not because we have any deep moral sense to behave well, but that such behavior is just an automatic response to stimuli.

But is this supposition true? In these blinks, you’ll discover exactly what’s wrong about the “new science of morality.” You’ll find that morality is an innate human quality and explore how people actively make moral choices and develop a moral sense.

To support these claims, the authors offer examples from the lives of morally exceptional people, like Nelson Mandela and Eleanor Roosevelt. You’ll see how their achievements relied on innate moral virtues such as truthfulness, humility and faith.

In these blinks, you’ll also learn

how modern psychological research relies on mind games;
how people can act morally without being aware of it; and
why some people believe that self-deception is helpful.

The “new science of morality” claims that people are immoral.

The debate over human morality is as old as society itself, and even today it is still hotly contested – just think of the many contemporary religious debates that concern moral choice.

But in recent years, a new thinking has emerged, the so-called new science of morality, with a rather pessimistic viewpoint on human nature.

In 2007, psychologist Jonathan Haidt coined the term, “new science of morality,” to describe a renewed understanding of moral behavior, in which humans are seen as intrinsically evil and dishonest.

All fine and good, but where’s the scientific proof?

Proponents of this new “science” point to studies such as psychologist Philip Zimbardo’s 1971 prison experiment at Stanford University. As part of the experiment, Zimbardo asked students to act either as prisoners or as guards in a make-believe prison.

Once the experiment was underway, the students who were playing guards became so cruel toward prisoners and corrupt in their actions that Zimbardo had to prematurely call off the experiment. His conclusion from his observations was that humans are inherently evil.

Such views are also supported by thought experiments such as the “trolley car problem.” This fictional scenario involves a trolley car that’s about to run over five people. You’re standing nearby and must decide between throwing an innocent bystander under the trolley to make it stop, or doing nothing.

In other words, do you choose to kill one person to save five lives, or choose indirectly to kill five people. It’s easy to see how a researcher could paint a participant as immoral, no matter which option is chosen.

These thought experiments are cited to show that when a person makes a moral choice, it’s often by accident. In the trolley car problem, you’d have to make a split decision, as you’ve no time to weigh the pros and cons of action.

But some psychologists hold that when given ample time to decide, a person is more than likely to make an immoral, selfish choice. Or are they?

A belief that human selfishness is innate leads people to forget the power of moral commitment.

Do you consider yourself selfish? According to the new science of morality, all humans are.

In an exploration of human decision making, researchers generally examine only one type of motive, and that’s self-interest. Why this narrow focus?

Moral behavior has helped humans as a species survive; empathy is a trait that begins in childhood.

It’s easy to believe that humans are barbaric, based on media reports of war or violence. But when we take a look at human evolutionary psychology, we get quite a different picture.

Evolutionary science has illustrated just how crucial a role morality plays in human development. Moral behavior, while not necessarily beneficial on the level of the individual, does give a species a greater chance of surviving.

As your life progresses, your moral disposition can grow and change as dramatically as you do.

A person’s cultural background of course has a significant influence on his or her moral development. But it’s also important to consider that a person’s sense of morality can change; moral dispositions aren’t set in stone. Rather, they are shaped by your experiences over time.

Behavioral economists have illustrated this change with a game that shows how age is bound to a person’s understanding of fairness. In the “ultimatum game,” two players are given a sum of money to divide between themselves. The first player makes an offer to the second player, who may accept or reject the offer. If the second player rejects the offer, then neither player receives any money.

We’re born with moral emotions, which we can mold and manage as we fight for a particular cause.

Humans are not passive when it comes to morality. We are able to construct, change and even grow our own moral codes. But what about deeply ingrained forms of morality, such as empathy? Interestingly enough, humans are able to shape and develop such moral emotions, too.

To put it simply, moral emotions are feelings and responses that are built into all people as a result of evolution. No matter if you were born in Europe, Asia, Africa or the United States, all humans largely share the same feeling of horror when witnessing someone get hurt. A baby will start crying when it hears another baby crying, regardless of cultural background!

Though we question the usefulness of honesty in the modern world, self-deception is far worse.

Do you believe that honesty is always the best policy? Most of us are happy to tell a “white lie” if it makes life easier for us or for our peers.

Though being truthful is an ancient virtue, how relevant is it to life in the modern world?

Humility is a multi-faceted character trait that allows us to connect with and mobilize others.

Humility is often at the heart of spiritual teaching, practices that range across eras and continents. Yet even though humility forms the core of much of religious thought, its virtues are still debated.

How is this the case? Surely when people exhibit humility, this can only be a good thing?

Maintaining true faith – an open, hopeful mind – allows moral people to persevere in times of despair.

When you hear the word “faith,” it might inspire thoughts of organized religion. Often too, depending on your background, these thoughts might be accompanied by feelings of skepticism.

In reality, the idea of faith doesn’t necessarily refer to a belief in a deity or higher power. Faith means simply to believe in something.

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What is The Power of Ideals about?

The Power of Ideals (2016) shines a light on the questionable science behind the new thinking in psychology that holds people are inherently immoral beings. These blinks offer a deeper, clearer look into the nature of human morality and show how our actions are shaped by innate human traits of empathy, humility and honesty, as exemplified by the achievements of society’s moral leaders.

The Power of Ideals Review

The Power of Ideals by William Damon and Anne Colby (2016) explores the role of ideals in our lives and why they are essential for personal and societal development. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:

It provides a thought-provoking analysis of how ideals shape our decisions, values, and actions, offering valuable insights into human behavior.
Drawing on extensive research and real-life examples, the authors demonstrate the power of ideals in driving personal growth and societal progress.
The book challenges readers to reflect on their own ideals and inspires them to strive for a better world, making it an engaging and enlightening read.

Best quote from The Power of Ideals

Academic games about imaginary situations are not sensible proxies for genuine moral commitment and real-life moral choices.

—William Damon and Anne Colby

Who should read The Power of Ideals?

Students of psychology and the social sciences
Individuals seeking moral guidance
People curious about the implications of ideological shifts in psychology

About the Author

William Damon is a professor of education at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace. He is also the author of Greater Expectations: Overcoming the Culture of Indulgence in Our Homes and Schools and over a dozen other books.

Anne Colby is a consulting professor at Stanford University.

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