Very Bad Wizards Episode 183: Accept the Mystery (with Paul Bloom)
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Feb 25, 2020 
Psychologist and author Paul Bloom joins Very Bad Wizards to discuss the Coen Brothers' film 'A Serious Man'. They explore themes of uncertainty and inaction, the portrayal of Jews in the movie, and the desire for order and certainty. They also touch on subjects like observational research in psychology, responsible journalism, and the value of investigative journalism. Plus, they discuss a scene from the movie, a new sponsor, and the charity organization Givewell.
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Tie Observation To Hypotheses
- Use targeted observational methods only when tied to clear hypotheses or theory.
- Combine field observation with experiments to validate surprising real-world patterns.
Recurring 'Unjust Test' Motif
- The film repeatedly parallels different ‘unjust test results’ to deepen its theme of uncertainty.
- Small narrative echoes (Clive Park, the X-ray) intensify the movie’s moral puzzles.
Accepting Unanswerable Questions
- A Serious Man frames existential questions as unanswerable and urges living despite uncertainty.
- The film aligns with Ecclesiastes: accept mystery and continue everyday life.