Why We Hate

Why do we hate? Humans are capable of love and cooperation --so why do we treat each other with cruelty and violence? Evolutionary anthropologist Brian Hare searches for the origins of hate in our distant past, and in our contemporary environment.

Why do we divide the world into 'us' and 'them'? Cognitive scientist Laurie Santos examines tribalism, asking why love for our group can make us hate other groups --in politics, sports, even warfare --and how tribal thinking shapes our perceptions.

If we all have the capacity to hate, what does it take to awaken our worst tendencies? Journalist and author Jelani Cobb investigates how "hate tools" like propaganda, dehumanization, the internet, symbols, and more can incite, amplify and spread hatred.

What drives us to embrace hateful ideas? Extremism expert Sasha Havlicek explores the complicated factors that draw people toward ideologies that fuel hate and violence from white nationalism to Islamic terrorism or toward deradicalization.

What makes us take part in the worst extremes --genocide and crimes against humanity? International criminal lawyer Patricia Viseur Sellers investigates the role of perpetrators, from leaders to followers, as well as those who resist the power of hate.

How can we resist succumbing to our worst impulses and awaken the our angels? Neuroscientist Emile Bruneau explores how we can use our capacity for critical thinking, our brain plasticity, and strategies like education and cooperation to help combat hate.