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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters Hardback -

by Steven Pinker

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"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 clich 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.

Details

  • Title Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
  • Author Steven Pinker
  • Binding Hardback
  • Pages 432
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Viking
  • ISBN 9780525561996 / 0525561994
  • Weight 1.38 lbs (0.63 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.29 x 6.25 x 1.4 in (23.60 x 15.88 x 3.56 cm)
  • Category Psychology
  • Library of Congress subjects Choice (Psychology), Critical thinking
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2021003592
  • Dewey Decimal Code 153.42

About the author

Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. A two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and the winner of many awards for his research, teaching, and books, he has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People and one of Foreign Policy's 100 Leading Global Thinkers. His books include The Blank Slate, The Stuff of Thought, The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, and Enlightenment Now.

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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
Stock photo: cover may vary

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Steven Pinker

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Very good
Binding
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

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  • Hardback
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Very good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
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Viking, 2021. Hardcover. Very Good. Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

  • Used
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  • Hardback
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Very good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
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Description:
Viking, 2021. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

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  • Hardback
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Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
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Description:
Viking, 2021. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
Stock photo: cover may vary

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
Quantity available
6
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Item price
A$9.26
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking, 2021. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Item price
A$9.26
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
Stock photo: cover may vary

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
Quantity available
3
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Item price
A$9.26
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking, 2021. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Item price
A$9.26
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

by Pinker, Steven

  • Used
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  • Hardback
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Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780525561996 / 0525561994
Quantity available
1
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Item price
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Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Viking, 2021. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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