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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Irrationality summary
Stuart Sutherland
The Enemy Within
23 mins
Brief summary
Irrationality by Stuart Sutherland explores how human behavior defies rationality despite our belief that we are objective. It reveals how cognitive biases, emotions, and social pressures influence our decisions, leading to flawed thinking and irrational behavior.
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Irrationality
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Key idea 1 of 10
Irrationality is more common than people think, and it’s the result of ignoring knowledge.
We tend to think that human beings are deeply rational beings, and the basis for this idea can be traced back thousands of years. From Aristotle’s claim that man is a “rational animal,” to Descartes’ famous statement, “I think, therefore I am,” to Kant’s “have the courage to use your own reason,” a common belief throughout history has been that humans are fundamentally rational.
But this might not be true after all.
When we meet a new person, we often judge them in an instant, based solely on their looks. This is both exceedingly common and totally irrational, as people often turn out to behave very differently than they appear.
So, clearly we’re prone to irrationality – but what does that word actually mean?
In a nutshell, irrationality means deliberately forming conclusions that aren’t based on knowledge. So, it might be rational for a young boy to climb a tree to try to touch the moon. But the same action would be absolutely irrational if performed by an adult astronomer who knows how far away the moon is.
Basically, the breadth of our knowledge plays a role in determining the rationality of our actions. But, while rational thinking is based on knowledge, rational conclusions can also be false. For example, people long believed that all swans were white; this was a completely rational assumption until the Australian continent was discovered, where black swans are common.
This is an example of how insufficient or false knowledge can produce false conclusions, despite rational thinking. But false rationality is not to be confused with irrationality. Irrational thinking differs in the sense that it’s deliberate.
Inadvertently forgetting to carry the one when doing math will produce an error – but it wouldn’t be the result of irrationality. Irrationality would be to ignore knowledge despite its ample presence, such as by thinking someone is unsuited for a job despite her résumé being a perfect fit for the requirements.
So, making an irrational decision requires deliberate action. But why do humans do this?
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What is Irrationality about?
Irrationality (1991) is a guide to illogical decisions, unreasonable actions and irrational behavior as a whole. These blinks reveal how people tend to be more irrational than rational, examines several reasons why and offers solutions as to how we can become a little more logical in our decision making.
Irrationality Review
Irrationality by Stuart Sutherland (1992) is an insightful exploration of the human mind's irrational tendencies. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- It reveals the fascinating and sometimes surprising ways in which we make irrational decisions, shedding light on our flawed thinking processes.
- The book provides compelling examples and experiments that expose our irrational behavior, helping readers understand their own cognitive biases.
- With its engaging and accessible writing style, Irrationality ensures that learning about human irrationality is never dull, but rather a thought-provoking journey.
Best quote from Irrationality
Everybody is irrational some of the time, and the more complex the decisions to be taken, the more irrational they are.
—Stuart Sutherland
Who should read Irrationality?
- People who think of themselves as entirely rational beings
- Anyone who struggles to make decisions, especially rational ones
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Irrationality FAQs
What is the main message of Irrationality?
The main message of Irrationality is understanding and exploring the many ways in which our thinking and decision-making can be irrational.
How long does it take to read Irrationality?
The reading time for Irrationality varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Irrationality a good book? Is it worth reading?
Irrationality is worth reading as it sheds light on the irrational aspects of our thinking, providing valuable insights into decision-making processes. It's a thought-provoking and informative read.
Who is the author of Irrationality?
The author of Irrationality is Stuart Sutherland.
What to read after Irrationality?
If you're wondering what to read next after Irrationality, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
- Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
- How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
- You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney
- Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy
- Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain by Partha Nandi
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- Hyperefficient by Mithu Storoni