The Enigma of Reason Book Summary

In 'The Enigma of Reason', authors Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber challenge traditional views of human reasoning, suggesting it's more about social interaction than individual logic. They reveal how reasoning evolved as a tool for communication and persuasion rather than mere cognition. The book dives into fascinating case studies and psychological insights, unraveling the complexities of how we think and justify our beliefs. With a blend of philosophy and science, it offers readers a fresh perspective on the nature of human thought and collective knowledge. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about reasoning and its role in our lives.

By Hugo Mercier, Dan Sperber

Published: 2019

"Reason is not a solitary pursuit; it is a collective endeavor, shaped by the dialogue of minds and the interplay of ideas."

Book Review of The Enigma of Reason

Reason, we are told, is what makes us human, the source of our knowledge and wisdom. If reason is so useful, why didn't it also evolve in other animals? If reason is that reliable, why do we produce so much thoroughly reasoned nonsense? In their groundbreaking account of the evolution and workings of reason, Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber set out to solve this double enigma. Reason, they argue with a compelling mix of real-life and experimental evidence, is not geared to solitary use, to arriving at better beliefs and decisions on our own. What reason does, rather, is help us justify our beliefs and actions to others, convince them through argumentation, and evaluate the justifications and arguments that others address to us. In other words, reason helps humans better exploit their uniquely rich social environment. This interactionist interpretation explains why reason may have evolved and how it fits with other cognitive mechanisms. It makes sense of strengths and weaknesses that have long puzzled philosophers and psychologists--why reason is biased in favor of what we already believe, why it may lead to terrible ideas and yet is indispensable to spreading good ones.--

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Reason is not a solitary pursuit; it is a collective endeavor, shaped by the dialogue of minds and the interplay of ideas.

The Enigma of Reason

By Hugo Mercier, Dan Sperber