Episode · EconTalk · 2025-05-26
Books mentioned on Nature vs. Nurture (with Paul Bloom)
How much of our success or failure is written in our genes? How much is under our control?
Paul Bloom recommended The Alien Corn by William Somerset Maugham. Russ Roberts recommended A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell, and discussed The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Alien Corn
The Alien Corn by William Somerset Maugham is a compelling short story that examines the complex human dilemma of pursuing artistic ambitions versus recognizing personal limitations.
Recommended“There's a very um powerful Somerset mom short story called The Alien Corn uh which is about a young man who desperately wants to be a great pianist, a great musician”
Where to get it
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A Conflict of Visions
A Conflict of Visions is a work of political philosophy by Thomas Sowell that examines the underlying assumptions about human nature that shape competing political and social ideologies.
Recommended“I'm looking at my notes and I've got Thomas Soul's Conflict of Visions in the next paragraph, which is an extraordinary book, by the way, and uh I strongly recommend it.”
Where to get it
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The Sweet Spot
The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom is a psychology book that investigates why human beings voluntarily seek out pain, suffering, and challenging experiences as part of a meaningful life.
Discussed“this comes back to a book uh a psychologist wrote uh he's on my program right now which was that there's a sweet spot uh and and that a little bit of suffering is part of what gives life its meaning.”
Where to get it
