Robyn Dawes defines irrationality as adhering to beliefs that are inherently self-contradictory, not just incorrect, self-defeating, or the basis of poor decisions. Such beliefs are unfortunately common. Witness two examples: the belief that child sexual abuse can be diagnosed by observing symptoms typically resulting from such abuse, rather than s
Robyn Dawes demonstrates how irrationality results from ignoring obvious comparisons, while instead falling into associational and story-based thinking. He also demonstrates that a lot of everyday judgment, unsupported professional claims, and even social policy is based on "everyday" irrationality.
