Pinker ties up this notion towards the end of the book by stating that each of us has a motive to prefer our truth, but together we’re better off with the truth. Rather than altering our beliefs to fit new information, we alter the interpretation of that information to fit our beliefs. Motivated reasoning describes how we let our beliefs mold our perception of the world, ensuring that we see things as we are, not as they are. Through analyzing the most common cognitive fallacies, we’re taken on a journey through the mechanics of the mind towards the root of our irrationality, which Pinker argues is due to motives shaping our judgments. Steven Pinker proves otherwise in Rationality. The myth that we are reasonable creatures stems from the incorrect assumption that our brains are, by default, instruments of logic. Nine Sentence Summaryīiases distort our cognitive system and prevent us from making rational decisions. Passages not in italics or quotations are my own words. Note: All passages formatted in italics and quotation marks are from the original book unless otherwise stated. If you enjoy this summary, please consider buying me a coffee to caffeinate my reading sessions. Buy Rationality: Print | Kindle | Audiobook
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