Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
Can reading a book make you more rational? Can it help us understand why there is so much irrationality in the world? Steven Pinker, author of Enlightenment Now (Bill Gates’ "new favorite book of all time”) answers all the questions here.
Today humanity is reaching new heights of scientific understanding - and also appears to be losing its mind. How can a species that developed vaccines for COVID-19 in less than a year produce so much fake news, medical quackery, and conspiracy theorizing?
Pinker rejects the cynical cliché that humans are simply irrational - cavemen out of time saddled with biases, fallacies, and illusions. After all, we discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives, and set out the benchmarks for rationality itself. We actually think in ways that are sensible in the low-tech contexts in which we spend most of our lives, but fail to take advantage of the powerful tools of reasoning we’ve discovered over the millennia: logic, critical thinking, probability, correlation and causation, and optimal ways to update beliefs and commit to choices individually and with others. These tools are not a standard part of our education, and have never been presented clearly and entertainingly in a single book - until now.
Rationality also explores its opposite: how the rational pursuit of self-interest, sectarian solidarity, and uplifting mythology can add up to crippling irrationality in a society. Collective rationality depends on norms that are explicitly designed to promote objectivity and truth.
Rationality matters. It leads to better choices in our lives and in the public sphere and is the ultimate driver of social justice and moral progress. Brimming with Pinker’s customary insight and humor, Rationality will enlighten, inspire, and empower.
This audiobook includes a PDF of charts and graphs.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
In his thought-provoking and engaging book, "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters," renowned cognitive scientist Steven Pinker delves into the concept of rationality, exploring its essence, scarcity, and significance. Pinker argues that rationality is not merely a set of abstract principles but a fundamental cognitive faculty that enables humans to think clearly, make sound judgments, and solve problems effectively.
Pinker begins by defining rationality as the ability to make decisions that are consistent with one's goals and values, even in the face of uncertainty or conflicting information. He emphasizes that rationality is not a static state but rather a dynamic process that involves gathering information, evaluating options, and adapting strategies based on new knowledge and experiences.
Pinker then examines why rationality often seems scarce, despite its crucial importance. He identifies several factors that contribute to this scarcity, including cognitive biases, emotional influences, social pressures, and limited information. He argues that these factors can lead individuals to make irrational decisions, even when they have the capacity to reason logically.
Furthermore, Pinker explores the profound impact that rationality has on various aspects of human life, including scientific progress, technological innovation, economic prosperity, and social harmony. He highlights the role of rationality in fostering cooperation, resolving conflicts, and promoting human well-being.
Through insightful analysis and compelling examples, Pinker demonstrates the importance of rationality in navigating the complexities of modern life. He emphasizes the need to cultivate rationality as a core skill, encouraging individuals to question assumptions, critically evaluate evidence, and make decisions based on reason rather than emotion or prejudice.
"Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters" is a seminal work that provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of rationality. Pinker's exploration of this fundamental cognitive faculty sheds light on its scarcity, significance, and the ways in which it can be cultivated and applied to improve decision-making and promote human progress.
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