Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite summary
Robert Kurzban
Evolution and the Modular Mind
17 mins
Brief summary
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite by Robert Kurzban sheds light on the complexities of the human mind. It explains how our brain functions in different scenarios and why we often make decisions that contradict our beliefs.
Topics
Table of Contents
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Our brain is essentially an information processor that has been shaped through evolution.
There’s nothing more fascinating or mysterious than the human brain.
How exactly did we end up with such an organ, capable of composing symphonies, planning megacities and speculating about parallel universes?
Some of us believe the brain must have been designed by one deity or another. Evolutionary psychology, however, has an alternative explanation. In this field, the human brain isn’t considered a product of divine inspiration. Instead, it’s simply a biological information processor.
Much like laptops and smartphones, the human brain runs programs to complete certain tasks. The difference is that instead of silicon chips, this machine is made of neurons along which electrical impulses travel at incredible speeds.
Of course, our brains weren’t always as advanced as they are now. Just as computers have evolved from huge machines that filled rooms to astonishingly thin devices that fit in a handbag, the human brain has developed considerably over time.
Familiar with Darwin’s theory of natural selection? Let’s recap it briefly: an organism has genes, and these genes express themselves as physical traits, such as a giraffe’s long neck or a human’s sophisticated brain.
Organisms with traits that allow them to adapt to an environment – such as the ability to find food, create a shelter and live in communities – are more likely to survive than organisms without them. It was this process that shaped the complexities of our brains. The way our brains are structured is a result of the challenges faced by our primitive ancestors.
And just how are our brains structured? Philosophers would have you believe that a human has a rational mind, with the idea of a single, distinct “self” and a more or less coherent set of beliefs.
The truth is that human minds are nothing like this. Evolution has given us a different kind of mind. To understand the brain better, let’s consider what it was at the beginning: a simple tool.
Want to see all full key ideas from Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite?
Key ideas in Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite about?
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite (2010) pushes us to challenge our assumptions about the human brain. These blinks explain the modular structure of our mind which, rather than creating a coherent conscious self, can lead to confusion and conflict as evolutionary traits clash with the challenges of the modern world.
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite Review
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite (2010) explores the fascinating science behind human behavior and the many ways in which we deceive ourselves and others. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It presents a compelling argument supported by scientific studies, shedding light on the complexity of human nature and the reasons behind our hypocritical tendencies.
- With its provocative insights and thought-provoking examples, it challenges conventional wisdom, offering a fresh perspective on the contradictions inherent in human behavior.
- The book's accessible approach makes complex concepts easy to grasp, ensuring that readers will be engaged from beginning to end without any trace of boredom.
Best quote from Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite
Big brains get smart by having a lot of pieces.
—Robert Kurzban
Who should read Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite?
- Students and teachers of psychology
- Readers questioning traditional explanations of how the mind works
- People frustrated with friends’ hypocritical actions and poor judgment
Categories with Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite
Book summaries like Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite
The Brand Gap
Marty Neumeier
How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design
15 min
4.3
Mostly What God Does
Savannah Guthrie
Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere
18 min
4.4
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite FAQs
What is the main message of Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite?
The main message of Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite is that human behavior is often contradictory and influenced by our evolved minds.
How long does it take to read Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite?
The reading time for Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite varies, but it generally takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite a good book? Is it worth reading?
Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite is worth reading because it provides insightful explanations for human behavior, making it intriguing and thought-provoking.
Who is the author of Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite?
Robert Kurzban is the author of Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite.
What to read after Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite?
If you're wondering what to read next after Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Power of Awakening by Wayne W. Dyer
- You Are Not Your Brain by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding
- How to Know a Person by David Brooks
- Hue 1968 by Mark Bowden
- The Now Habit by Neil Fiore
- Change Proof by Adam Markel
- First as Tragedy, Then as Farce by Slavoj Žižek
- The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier
- Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
- Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft