The Irrational Ape: Why Flawed Logic Puts us all at Risk and How Critical Thinking Can Save the World

by David Robert Grimes

If we are to survive and thrive, our opinions and beliefs must evolve with the facts. We can discuss and disagree on what the optimal solutions to our problems might be and how to achieve them, but we cannot get to that point if we insist on ignoring reality and substituting our own delusions instead. We are entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own facts. It would be bad enough were it only issues of science and health on which we are misled. But, as we have seen plenty of times already, dubious claims pollute political discourse, online and offline. Many of us dwell within the comfort of our echo chambers, seeking out sources that confirm rather than challenge our prejudices. As we become more starkly polarised than ever before, distinguishing fact from fiction is no easy undertaking. It’s enough to drive anyone to apathy and cynicism. But apathy is the enemy; under its spell, we are dangerously pliable.