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    The Enigma of Reason
    The Enigma of Reason
    The Enigma of Reason
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Enigma of Reason

    Written by Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber

    Narrated by Liam Gerrard

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Reason, 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 groundbreaking 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 helps humans better exploit their uniquely rich social environment. This interactionist interpretation explains why reason may have evolved and how it fits with other cognitive mechanisms. It makes sense of strengths and weaknesses that have long puzzled philosophers and psychologists-why reason is biased in favor of what we already believe, why it may lead to terrible ideas and yet is indispensable to spreading good ones.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateNov 21, 2017
    ISBN9781541486218
    The Enigma of Reason

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    Reviews for The Enigma of Reason

    4/5

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    • 3/5
      The book is initially fascinating, but becomes repetitive and somewhat pedantic after the middle. Still, it’s worth a look.
    • 5/5
      Really loved this book! Can't believe two French academics could write so beautifully in English. Not an easy read exactly, but far from impenetrable- it takes a little work to read but ideas are explained slowly and carefully and convincingly. Basic premise is that the ability of humans to reason is more of a communications skill, evolved to help us make arguments and evaluate arguments made by others. In most cases, in non-social situations, people don't reason at all - we act intuitively. Bravo, a fine psychology/philosophy mix!