The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us
From Cato Event Podcast by Cato Institute
March 25, 2026 · 1h 5m
About this episode
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein discusses her book on the human drive for meaning and its implications for society.
The universal human drive to matter—to feel our lives hold genuine significance—fuels both our greatest achievements and our deepest divisions. It inspires innovation, care, and cooperation while giving rise to ideological extremism, tribalism, and zero-sum conflicts that can challenge individual liberty and peaceful coexistence. MacArthur Fellow and National Humanities Medalist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins us to discuss her latest book, The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us . Through real-life stories of individuals pursuing meaning—from artists and thinkers to everyday heroes and reformed extremists—Goldstein illustrates how the uniquely human need for meaning inspires “mattering projects” that drive both progress and polarization. Cato research fellow and psychologist Adam Omary will moderate the discussion and offer commentary on the book’s implications for addressing the contemporary crisis of meaning, defending civil liberties, and advancing human progress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Host: Adam Omary
Guest: Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
Topics covered
- human drive to matter
- significance of life
- ideological extremism
- tribalism
- civil liberties
- human progress
Keywords
- mattering instinct
- meaning
- innovation
- polarization
- civil liberties
- human progress
- tribalism
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cato Institute
Books & works: The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us
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