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. This book demonstrates how such irrationality results from ignoring obvious comparisons, while instead falling into associational and story-based thinking. Strong emotion—or even insanity—is one reason for making automatic associations without comparison, but as the author demonstrates, a lot of everyday judgment, unsupported professional claims, and even social policy is based on the same kind of "everyday" irrationality.
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.
