The Enigma of Reason

About this book

**The Enigma of Reason** explores the intriguing question of why humans, uniquely among animals, have developed such a sophisticated system of reasoning. Authors Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber challenge the traditional view of reason as a solitary pursuit, used primarily to further our own individual understanding and interests. Instead, they present a compelling argument that reason's evolutionary purpose is fundamentally social. It evolved to help us justify our beliefs and actions to others, evaluate their arguments, and navigate our complex social environments. Through this lens, the authors explain why humans are so prone to rationalize their own beliefs and to engage in motivated reasoning. "The Enigma of Reason" is a groundbreaking work that reshapes our understanding of human cognition and the role of reason in our lives.

What to Learn

Reasoning promotes misconceptions Reasons serve social roles Argumentative culture hypothesis Dual inheritance theory Mindreading biases Byproduct of argumentativeness Ingroup bias Explanation is a form of persuasion Social function of reasoning Group argumentation improves collective intelligence

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