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Why smart people do dumb things
First published 1995 · 284 pages
An accessible, psychological exploration of the cognitive blind spots that trip up even the sharpest minds.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down with a pragmatic, insightful guide who gently dismantles the illusion of perfect human intellect. The steady, accessible prose unpacks the psychological aspects of why we make errors, blending cognitive therapy concepts with everyday conduct of life. It creates a thought-provoking and grounding atmosphere, inviting readers to reflect on their own cognitive blind spots without feeling judged. The emotional journey moves from a humbling recognition of our shared fallibility toward a sense of empowered self-awareness. It is an ideal read for anyone drawn to popular psychology who wants to understand the paradox of intellect and learn how to navigate the everyday cognitive traps that trip up even the sharpest minds.
- Mood
- thought-provoking
- grounding
- inquisitive
- Tone
- analytical
- accessible
- pragmatic
- reflective
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- cognitive blind spots · the paradox of intellect · practical decision-making · navigating human error · psychological self-correction
- The writing
- Clear, accessible, and structured, balancing psychological concepts with everyday readability.
- The arc
- Moves from a humbling recognition of human fallibility toward a sense of empowered, practical self-awareness.
- Who it's for
- Readers who enjoy popular psychology and want to understand their own cognitive biases to make better life choices.
About the book
Includes bibliographical references and index. "A Fireside book."
Description from Open Library.
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Don't Believe Everything You ThinkThomas E. KidaA clarifying plunge into the quirks of human cognition that will forever change how you trust your own mind.
SwayOri BrafmanA fascinating, anecdote-rich exploration of the invisible psychological currents that hijack our rational decision-making.
Ten philosophical mistakesMortimer J. AdlerA methodical and clarifying journey through the intellectual missteps of modern thought and their real-world consequences.