Sign-In
Cart
Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
Paperback
General PsychologyGeneral SociologyHistory & Philosophy of Science
Publisher Price: $18.00
ISBN13: 9780525562016
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: Sep 27 2022
Pages: 432
Weight: 0.85
Height: 1.00 Width: 5.60 Depth: 8.70
Language: English
In our uncertain age, which can so often feel so dark and disturbing, Steven Pinker has distinguished himself as a voice of positivity. - New York Times
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's 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.
Also from
Pinker, Steven
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
Pinker, Steven
Paperback
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
Pinker, Steven
Hardcover
Learnability and Cognition, new edition: The Acquisition of Argument Structure
Pinker, Steven
Paperback
Also in
General Psychology
Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering
Gladwell, Malcolm
Hardcover
Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood
Hallowell
Hallowell, Edward M.
Paperback
How Does That Make You Feel?: True Confessions from Both Sides of the Therapy Couch
Amatenstein, Sherry
Paperback
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents
Gibson, Lindsay C.
Paperback
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships
Rosenberg, Marshall B.
Paperback
Publication Manual (Official) 7th Edition of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
Paperback
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model
Schwartz, Richard
Paperback
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Pressfield, Steven
Paperback
Hábitos Atómicos: Cambios Pequeños, Resultados Extraordinarios / Atomic Habits
Clear, James
Paperback
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find--And Keep--Love
Levine, Amir
Heller, Rachel
Paperback
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents
Gibson, Lindsay C.
Hardcover
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
Brown, Brené
Hardcover
Self-Love Workbook for Women: Release Self-Doubt, Build Self-Compassion, and Embrace Who You Are
Logan, Megan
Paperback
Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle. (from Vol. 8. of the Collected Works of C. G. Jung)
Jung, C. G.
Paperback
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical Dbt Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, a
Brantley, Jeffrey
McKay, Matthew
Wood, Jeffrey C.
Paperback
Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior
Matz, Sandra
Hardcover
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Brown, Brené
Paperback
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving in
Ury, William
Patton, Bruce
Fisher, Roger
Paperback
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex
Gray, John
Paperback
The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole
Schwartz, Arielle
Paperback
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies
Menakem, Resmaa
Paperback
The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control
Hassan, Steven
Paperback
Sometimes Therapy Is Awkward: A Collection of Life-Changing Insights for the Modern Clinician
Arzt, Nicole
Paperback
Outraged: Why We Fight about Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground
Gray, Kurt
Hardcover
The Silva Mind Control Method: The Revolutionary Program by the Founder of the World's Most Famous Mind Control Course
Miele, Philip
Silva, José
Paperback
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
Gottlieb, Lori
Hardcover
Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma, and Politicizing Your Practice
Mullan, Jennifer
Hardcover
The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World
Yu, Tiffany
Hardcover
Unfuck Your Intimacy: Using Science for Better Relationships, Sex, and Dating
Harper, Faith G.
Paperback
The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself
Deal, Nan
Hargrave, Terry
Deal, Ron L.
Hardcover
Parent Yourself First: Raise Confident, Compassionate Kids by Becoming the Parent You Wish You'd Had
Kappadakunnel, Bryana
Hardcover
Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
Heen, Sheila
Patton, Bruce
Stone, Douglas
Paperback
Hbr's 10 Must Reads on Public Speaking and Presenting (with Featured Article How to Give a Killer Presentation by Chris Anderson)
Cuddy, Amy J. C.
Anderson, Chris
Review, Harvard Business
Paperback
You Are the One You've Been Waiting for: Applying Internal Family Systems to Intimate Relationships
Schwartz, Richard
Paperback
The Living Legacy of Trauma Flip Chart: A Psychoeducational In-Session Tool for Clients and Therapists
Fisher, Janina
Other
Publication Manual (Official) 7th Edition of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
Paperback
The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--And Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
Long, Michael E.
Lieberman, Daniel Z.
Paperback
I Hate You--Don't Leave Me: Third Edition: Understanding the Borderline Personality
Straus, Hal
Kreisman, Jerold J.
Paperback
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine
Moore, Robert
Gillette, Doug
Paperback
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster
Solnit, Rebecca
Paperback
Braving the Wilderness: Reese's Book Club: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Brown, Brené
Paperback
AP Psychology Premium, 2025: Prep Book for the New 2025 Exam with 3 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice
McEntarffer, Robert
Barron's Educational Series
Weseley, Allyson J.
Paperback
Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love
Bryant, Thema
Hardcover
For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be
Collins, Marcus
Paperback
The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom
Trenton, Nick
Hardcover
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
Heath, Chip
Heath, Dan
Hardcover
The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team
Lencioni, Patrick M.
Hardcover
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now
Jay, Meg
Paperback
Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks: A Workbook for Managing Depression and Anxiety
Gillihan, Seth J.
Paperback
The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime
Brucato, Gary
Stone, Michael E.
Paperback
Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together
Morris, Michael
Hardcover
The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior
Nakken, Craig
Paperback
We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine (Large Print Edition)
Peterson, Jordan B.
Paperback
The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth
Edmondson, Amy C.
Hardcover
Grit (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)
Copeland, Misty
Review, Harvard Business
Duckworth, Angela L.
Paperback
Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents: Practical Tools to Establish Boundaries and Reclaim Your Emotional Autonomy
Gibson, Lindsay C.
Paperback
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Roediger, Henry L.
Brown, Peter C.
McDaniel, Mark A.
Hardcover
Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery
Gildiner, Catherine
Paperback
Predictably Irrational, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
Ariely, Dan
Paperback
Self-Care for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: Honor Your Emotions, Nurture Your Self, and Live with Confidence
Gibson, Lindsay C.
Paperback
The Internal Family Systems Workbook: A Guide to Discover Your Self and Heal Your Parts
Schwartz, Richard
Paperback
How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated for the Next Generation of Leaders
Carnegie, Dale
Hardcover
For the Love of Therapy: Cultivating Deeper Joy, Passion, and Authenticity In Your Practice: Cultivating Deeper Joy, Love,
Arzt, Jeremy
Arzt, Nicole
Paperback
How to Get Along with Anyone: The Playbook for Predicting and Preventing Conflict at Work and at Home
Eliot, John
Guinn, Jim
Hardcover
Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists
Fisher, Janina
Paperback
The Book of Symbols. Reflections on Archetypal Images
(aras), Archive For Research in Archetypal Symbolism
Hardcover
Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship
Davis, Kc
Hardcover
Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions
Grandin, Temple
Paperback
You Will Get Through This: A Mental Health Tool Kit - Help for Depression, Anxiety, Grief, and More
Radico, Julie
O'Reilly, Charity
Helverson, Nicole
Paperback
Love Life: How to Raise Your Standards, Find Your Person, and Live Happily (No Matter What)
Hussey, Matthew
Hardcover