What I do

I study how ideologies short-circuit minds and corrupt moral understanding. Then I develop tools that help people reason together in more fruitful ways. 

In my book Mental Immunity, I lay out the conceptual foundations of cognitive immunology—the emerging science of mental immune health. I'm currently testing a “mind vaccine”—a way to inoculate minds against infectious ideas.

I also direct the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University and write for national magazines. I enjoy engaging audiences on topics related to science and human values.