Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Dr. Saad examines a social and psychological pattern in which compassion can become misdirected in ways that weaken the cultural and moral foundations of Western society. Drawing on more than 31 years as a professor and behavioral scientist, along with personal experience, he presents a scientific and evolutionary framework for understanding how emotional systems can become dysregulated, causing a positive human trait to be redirected in harmful ways and moral judgment to lose balance.
He explains how this pattern develops, which groups may be most vulnerable to it, and what can be done to guard against it. This work is for readers who want to understand how empathy can be manipulated, how emotional reasoning can override common sense, and what practical steps can help restore clear thinking and sound judgment.
Dr. Gad Saad is a Scholar at the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi. He pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. His books include the international bestseller The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense and The Saad Truth about Happiness: 8 Secrets for Leading the Good Life. His most recent book is Dying to Be Kind (Broadside Books).
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Dr. Saad examines a social and psychological pattern in which compassion can become misdirected in ways that weaken the cultural and moral foundations of Western society. Drawing on more than 31 years as a professor and behavioral scientist, along with personal experience, he presents a scientific and evolutionary framework for understanding how emotional systems can become dysregulated, causing a positive human trait to be redirected in harmful ways and moral judgment to lose balance.
He explains how this pattern develops, which groups may be most vulnerable to it, and what can be done to guard against it. This work is for readers who want to understand how empathy can be manipulated, how emotional reasoning can override common sense, and what practical steps can help restore clear thinking and sound judgment.
Dr. Gad Saad is a Scholar at the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi. He pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. His books include the international bestseller The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense and The Saad Truth about Happiness: 8 Secrets for Leading the Good Life. His most recent book is Dying to Be Kind (Broadside Books).
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/RonaldReagan
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ronaldreagan
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/reaganfoundation
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ronald-reagan-presidential-library-foundation
Newsletter Sign-up: reaganfoundation.org/newsletter
