The 7 laws of magical thinking
how irrationality makes us happy, healthy, and sane
by Matt Hutson
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"Drawing on evolution, cognitive science, and neuroscience, Matthew Hutson takes us on this fascinating tour of magical thinking in everyday life. So-called cognitive biases are crucial to our survival, Hutson shows, whether we're deciding where to invest our money or avoiding awareness of our own mortality. Everyone - even the most rational, jaded, and sceptical thinkers - believe in magic, whether that be luck, mind over matter, jinxes, evil, or heavenly helpers. The key to happiness, health, creativity, social intelligence, and good fortune is knowing when you don't have free will and then embracing magical thinking instead." --Publisher description.
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The 7 laws of magical thinking: how irrationality makes us happy, healthy, and sane
2012, Oneworld
in English
1851689346 9781851689347
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The 7 laws of magical thinking: how irrational beliefs keep us happy, healthy, and sane
2012, Hudson Street Press
in English
1594630879 9781594630873
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Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-286) and index.
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"Psychologists have documented a litany of cognitive biases--misperceptions of the world--and explained their positive functions. Now, Matthew Hutson shows us that even the most hard-core skeptic indulges in magical thinking all the time--and it's crucial to our survival. Drawing on evolution, cognitive science, and neuroscience, Hutson shows us that magical thinking has been so useful to us that it's hardwired into our brains. It encourages us to think that we actually have free will. It helps make us believe that we have an underlying purpose in the world. It can even protect us from the paralyzing awareness of our own mortality. In other words, magical thinking is a completely irrational way of making our lives make rational sense. With wonderfully entertaining stories, personal reflections, and sharp observations, Hutson reveals our deepest fears and longings"--
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| March 22, 2022 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
| August 14, 2020 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
| July 30, 2011 | Created by LC Bot | import new book |