Everyday Irrationality: How Pseudo- Scientists, Lunatics, and the Rest of Us Systematically Fail to Think Rationally

by Robyn M. Dawes

Robyn Dawes defines irrationality as adhering to beliefs that are inherently self-contradictory, not just incorrect, self-defeating, or the basis of poor decisions. Such beliefs are unfortunately common. This book demonstrates how such irrationality results from ignoring obvious comparisons, while instead falling into associational and story-based thinking. Strong emotion--or even insanity--is one reason for making automatic associations without comparison, but as the author demonstrates, a lot of everyday judgment, unsupported professional claims, and even social policy is based on the same kind of everyday irrationality.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

240 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[John Orman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author wishes us to oppose irrationality, the adherence to beliefs that ar inherently self-contradictory, rather than acquiesce to it. Many real world examples of the cost of irrationality in public policy. A very dry book (even in the "good stories" section), but the section on "probabilistic irrationality" was of most interest to me.

[Brian Caughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why doesn't this book receive more attention?