The Enigma of Reason: A New Theory of Human Understanding - Softcover

Sperber, Dan; Mercier, Hugo

4.13

1,066 ratings by Goodreads

9780241957851: The Enigma of Reason: A New Theory of Human Understanding

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0241957850 ISBN 13: 9780241957851

Publisher: Penguin, 2018

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

If reason is what makes us human, then why do we humans often behave so irrationally? Taking us from desert ants to Aristotle, cognitive psychologists Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber explore how our 'flawed superpower' of reason works, how it doesn't, and how it evolved to help us develop as social beings.

'Original and provocative ... likely to have a big impact on our understanding of ourselves' Steven Pinker

'Brilliant, elegant and compelling ... turns reason's weaknesses into strengths, arguing that its supposed flaws are actually design features that work remarkably well ... A timely and necessary book' Julian Baggini, Financial Times

'Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber have solved one of the most important and longstanding puzzles in psychology' Jonathan Haidt

'Reason is more likely to confirm things that we want to be true, or which we already believe. So why does it exist? This book provides the answer' Alex Dean, Prospect

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

PublisherPenguin
Publication date2018
ISBN 10 0241957850
ISBN 13 9780241957851
BindingPaperback
Number of pages416
Rating
- 4.13
  
  1,066 ratings by Goodreads

Buy New

Learn more about this copy

US$ 18.43

Convert currency

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to Basket

30 Day Return Policy

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

Featured Edition

ISBN 10: 0674368304 ISBN 13: 9780674368309
Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2017
Hardcover

Harvar..., 2019
Softcover
ALLEN ..., 2017
Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Seller Image

The Enigma of Reason (Paperback)

Dan Sperber

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, London (2018)

ISBN 10: 0241957850 ISBN 13: 9780241957851

New Paperback Quantity: 1

Seller:

Grand Eagle Retail
(Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.)

Rating

Seller Rating:

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. An exploration of human rationality from two ground-breaking thinkersReason, we are told, is what makes us human, the source of our knowledge and wisdom. If reason is so useful, why didn't it also evolve in other animals? If reason is that reliable, why do we produce so much thoroughly reasoned nonsense? In their ground-breaking account of the evolution and workings of reason, Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber set out to solve this double enigma. Reason, they argue with a compelling mix of real-life and experimental evidence, is not geared to solitary use, to arriving at better beliefs and decisions on our own. What reason does, rather, is help us justify our beliefs and actions to others, convince them through argumentation, and evaluate the justifications and arguments that others address to us.In other words, reason has evolved to help humans better exploit their uniquely rich social environment. This illuminating interpretation of reason makes sense of strengths and weaknesses that have long puzzled philosophers and psychologists - why reason is biased in favour of what we already believe, why it may lead to terrible ideas and yet is indispensable to spreading good ones. Ambitious, provocative, and entertaining, The Enigma of Reason will spark debate among psychologists and philosophers, and make many reasonable people rethink their own thinking. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780241957851

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New

US$ 18.43

Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE

Within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Stock Image