About this episode

Kathryn Paige Harden discusses the intersection of genetics and morality in the context of contemporary societal issues.

Kathryn Paige Harden is a behavioral geneticist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She leads the Developmental Behavior Genetics lab and acts as co-director of the Texas Twin Project. We discuss the blank slate thesis, the crisis of liberalism, morality, evolution, and theology. These taboo topics have taken on new significance in the reactionary environment of online culture. Kathryn Paige Harden is the author of “Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame and the Future of Forgiveness” (2025) and “The Genetic Lottery” (2021). X: https://x.com/kph3k You can get access to the full catalog for Doomscroll and more by becoming a paid supporter: www.patreon.com/joshuacitarella

People in this episode

Host: Joshua Citarella

Guest: Kathryn Paige Harden

Topics covered

• genetics
• morality
• behavioral genetics
• liberalism
• evolution
• theology
• online culture

Keywords

• genetics
• morality
• behavioral genetics
• liberalism
• evolution
• theology
• online culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Texas at Austin, Texas Twin Project

Books & works: Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame and the Future of Forgiveness, The Genetic Lottery

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