Paul Bloom
Born: December 24, 1963 – Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Paul Bloom is a psychologist and author whose work examines human nature, morality, pleasure, empathy, and child development. He is known for How Pleasure Works, Just Babies, Against Empathy, and The Sweet Spot. His books and public writing have helped shape debates about moral judgment, happiness, and the limits of empathy.
Biography & Author's Journey
Paul Bloom is a Canadian-American psychologist and writer whose work has moved between laboratory research, university teaching, and public argument. Born in Montréal, he studied psychology at McGill University and completed graduate work in brain and cognitive sciences at MIT. After a decade on the faculty at the University of Arizona and nearly twenty years at Yale, he joined the University of Toronto in 2021 while retaining emeritus status at Yale. Across those years, he built a reputation for studying how children and adults make sense of the world, especially in relation to morality, pleasure, religion, fiction, and art. One important turning point came, by his own account, when a collaboration with David Pizarro on moral judgment redirected much of his academic career toward moral psychology; his research on infants’ moral understanding later helped earn him the 2017 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. ((https://archives.destinationcanada.com/en/teddestinationcanada/paul-bloom))
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Psych
Paul Bloom
A captivating exploration of psychology, unraveling the mysteries of human consciousness, intelligence, and behavior through engaging anecdotes and scientific insights.
Sweet Spot
Paul Bloom
Exploring how suffering enhances pleasure and meaning in life.
Against Empathy
Paul Bloom
A provocative argument that empathy can lead to poor decisions, proposing rational compassion as a more effective moral guide.
Psych
Paul Bloom
A captivating exploration of psychology, unraveling the mysteries of human consciousness, intelligence, and behavior through engaging anecdotes and scientific insights.
Sweet Spot
Paul Bloom
Exploring how suffering enhances pleasure and meaning in life.
Against Empathy
Paul Bloom
A provocative argument that empathy can lead to poor decisions, proposing rational compassion as a more effective moral guide.
Discover more
Body, Pleasure, Education & Psychology
Body, Pleasure, Education & Psychology
This multidisciplinary plan bridges the gap between somatic awareness and cognitive science to provide a holistic view of human behavior. It is ideal for educators, therapists, or individuals seeking to enhance their emotional intelligence and physical well-being through the science of pleasure and learning.
Study Pleasure, Neuroscience & Behavior
Study Pleasure, Neuroscience & Behavior
This plan bridges the gap between biological neuroscience and practical psychology to explain why we act the way we do. It is ideal for professionals, students, or anyone seeking to master their habits and decision-making by understanding the brain's fundamental reward circuitry.
Psychology, Body, Pleasure & Inspiration
Psychology, Body, Pleasure & Inspiration
This plan bridges the gap between cognitive psychology and physical experience to foster total well-being. It is ideal for individuals seeking to overcome burnout, enhance creativity, or deepen their understanding of how pleasure and somatic awareness drive human potential.
Behavior, Pleasure & Business Strategy
Behavior, Pleasure & Business Strategy
Understanding the intersection of neurobiology and commerce is essential for modern leaders. This plan is designed for entrepreneurs, product designers, and strategists who want to leverage the science of pleasure and motivation to build products that people truly love and value.
Human Nature, Mind, Culture & Growth
Human Nature, Mind, Culture & Growth
This plan offers a multidisciplinary deep dive into the biological, psychological, and social forces that define the human experience. It is ideal for lifelong learners and professionals seeking to understand the 'why' behind behavior to enhance their personal growth and social intelligence.
Mind, Habits & Social Philosophy
Mind, Habits & Social Philosophy
This learning plan bridges the gap between individual psychology and societal structures, offering a comprehensive look at why we think and act the way we do. It is ideal for lifelong learners, leaders, and curious minds seeking to master their own habits while understanding the ethical and evolutionary foundations of human society.
Explore Mind, Behavior & Human Experience
Explore Mind, Behavior & Human Experience
This learning plan offers a comprehensive journey into the mechanics of the human psyche, bridging the gap between biological brain function and daily emotional well-being. It is ideal for curious minds, professionals, or students seeking to understand the 'why' behind human behavior and unlock the secrets to a flourishing life.
Mind, Habits & Human Behavior Insights
Mind, Habits & Human Behavior Insights
This plan bridges the gap between neuroscience and practical psychology to provide a comprehensive toolkit for self-mastery and social intelligence. It is ideal for leaders, marketers, or anyone seeking to optimize their own habits and understand the hidden drivers of human decision-making.
Community Voices
"One comes to Paul Bloom for his unfailingly brilliant psychological research; one stays for the wise and relaxed way he writes about it"
— Jim Holt
"Paul Bloom is a scientist who knows how to tell a fascinating and charming story"
— Joshua Foer
"Paul Bloom is the perfect guide to a topic we all need to understand better: how our minds work"
— Laurie Santos
"Paul Bloom explains how this work illuminates human nature, and does it with his trademark clarity, depth, discernment, and graceful style"
— Steven Pinker
"Paul Bloom is one of the best psychologist-writers today"
— Sally Satel
"Paul Bloom can always be counted on to take your confident assumptions about humanity and turn them upside down"
— Susan Cain
"Paul Bloom has such an interesting mind, and it's a rare treat to follow as he tracks the origins of human morality"
— Emily Bazelon
"Paul Bloom is that rarest of experts—able to tell a story, make it practical, and yet faithfully capture the complexity and nuance of the latest research"
— Angela Duckworth
"Paul Bloom will change the way you think"
— Good Morning America.com
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
