35. How to Think Straight: Julia Galef, author of ‘The Scout Mindset’ reads from ‘How to Actually Change Your Mind’
2 Pages with MBS - A podcast by Michael Bungay Stanier - Tuesdays
Science and economics, two models underpinning society, base their theories on humans being rational people doing rational things. Yeah. You, me … we’re not rational, not even most of the time. But we can dream. Julia Galef is the author of The Scout Mindset, a book that seeks to explain how to improve human reasoning and judgement. In this episode of 2 Pages with MBS we dig into just what is rationality, and how grasping the concept will help with personal growth. Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ Julia reads two pages from the book ‘How to Actually Change Your Mind’ by Eliezer Yudkowsky. [reading begins at 11:25] Hear us talk about: The emotional satisfaction of having uncertainty in your beliefs: “If you see things in black and white, then you have to fight off any evidence that contradicts your theory.” [17:43] | Engaging in arguments without feeling personally attacked. [19:52] | Admitting you’re wrong: “Being wrong doesn’t necessarily mean you did something wrong.” [27:58] | The role of emotions in bettering your thinking: “There would be no reason to do anything if we had no emotions at all.” [32:35]
