Jonathan Haidt of New York University discusses, with EconTalk host and Hoover research fellow Russell Roberts, Haidt’s new book, The Righteous Mind. Topics include the development of morality and human nature; moral foundations theory and humans’ embedded antipathy to evil, as evidenced by infants and toddlers watching puppet shows; unique moral distinctions and the world perceptions of Western, educated, industrialized, and democratic cultures; and relativist versus absolutist morality.

Richard Epstein discusses why raising the minimum wage and extending unemployment benefits would hurt employment markets.

Laurence Kotlikoff of Boston University discusses with EconTalk host Russell Roberts the current fiscal health of the federal government. Topics include the gap between future taxes and expected expenditures; the dilemma of whether to address the fiscal gap or jump-start the current economy; and potential reforms of the tax code.

Richard Epstein on how courts have misread the Eighth Amendment and the federal power of taxation.