#1282 Turi Munthe - Why We Think What We Think: The Unexpected Origins of Our Deepest Beliefs
RECORDED ON JUNE 30th 2026.
Turi Munthe is a journalist and policy analyst turned media entrepreneur and writer. As a journalist and Middle East policy analyst, Turi has written for the Economist, Guardian, TLS, THES, the Nation, Spectator, and many others. He has appeared on the BBC, Fox, CNN, al-Jazeera, NBC and others, and given lectures at universities all over the world - Oxford, Sciences Politiques Paris, CUNY, and elsewhere. He has also advised governments across Europe and the Middle East. He is the author of Why We Think What We Think: The Unexpected Origins of Our Deepest Beliefs.
In this episode, we focus on Why We Think What We Think. We talk about what opinions are, and the many factors that influence them. We explore the social aspects that predict people’s opinions; climate and geography; why conventionally attractive people are more right-wing; and peanut butter preferences. We discuss a biological basis to political beliefs, the social functions of opinions, and tribalism. Finally, we talk about philosophy and science, and political radicalization and polarization.
Time Links:
Intro
What is an opinion, and what influences our opinions?
The social aspects that predict people’s opinions
Climate and geography
Why do conventionally attractive people tend to prefer the free market?
Peanut butter
Is there a biological basis to political beliefs?
The social functions of opinions
Tribalism
Philosophy
Political radicalization and polarization
Follow Turi’s work!
Follow Turi’s work:
Website: https://www.turimunthe.com/
Why We Think What We Think: https://tinyurl.com/bdfbnpay
X handle: @turi