About this episode

This episode explores the intersection of behavioral genetics and the concept of sin, discussing accountability and blame with psychologist Kathryn Paige Harden.

We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. But why do some people seem to struggle so much more than others when it comes to avoiding harmful behavior? And what does it mean for how we think about blame and accountability if the answer has something to do with our genes? On this episode, we’re rethinking sin from the perspective of behavioral genetics. We’ll talk to psychologist Kathryn Paige Harden about the surprising ways ancient religious debates are still shaping modern science, what genetics can actually tell us about why we fall short, and what it all means for how we think about accountability and repair, both for ourselves and as a society. Kathryn Paige Harden is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, where she directs the Developmental Behavior Genetics lab and serves as Director of Clinical Training. She is the author of Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame, and the Future of Forgiveness , and The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality . Learn more about her work on her website . Also mentioned on this episode: Elaine Pagels, author of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent Robert Sapolsky, author of Behave: The Biology…

People in this episode

Guest: Kathryn Paige Harden

Topics covered

• behavioral genetics
• sin
• accountability
• blame
• psychology
• society

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Texas at Austin

Books & works: Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame, and the Future of Forgiveness, The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times

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