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Conversations with Coleman

The Many Faces of Rationality with Steven Pinker [S2 Ep.37]

Conversations with Coleman

The Free Press

Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.82K Ratings

🗓️ 12 November 2021

⏱️ 70 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My guest today needs no introduction, so I won't give him one. Today's guest is Steven Pinker, and he has a new book called "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters." We talk about what rationality is, we talk about rationality's PR problem, whether rationality has increased or decreased over time and how to apply reason to everyday life choices. We also discuss the behavioral economics revolution and cognitive biases, what it means to be intellectually humble, why people love conspiracy theories and when is it okay to be irrational. We go on to talk about the role "reason" has played in the enormous progress humanity has made since the dawn of civilization, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:21.0

Did you know Choosing the train over your car can cook your carbon footprint by up to two thirds.

0:28.0

So, one family outing at a time, one little adventurer at a time, one trip to the museum,

0:35.0

one dinner in the city, one nap on the way home at a time.

0:40.0

One train journey at a time can help create a greener future.

0:45.0

So when will you take your next trip?

0:48.0

Find out more at nationalrail.co.uk slash greener.

0:58.0

www.corkin.com

1:23.0

Welcome to another episode of Conversations with Coleman.

1:26.0

If you're hearing this, then you're on the public feed, which means you'll get episodes a week after they come out,

1:31.0

and you'll hear advertisements.

1:33.0

You can gain access to the subscriber feed by going to ColemanTuse.org and becoming a supporter.

1:38.0

This means you'll have access to episodes a week early, you'll never hear ads, and you'll get access to bonus Q&A episodes.

1:44.0

You can also support me by liking and subscribing on YouTube and sharing the show with friends and family.

1:50.0

As always, thank you so much for your support.

1:56.0

Welcome to another episode of Conversations with Coleman.

1:59.0

My guest today needs no introduction, so I won't give him one.

2:04.0

This is Stephen Pinker, and he has a new book called Rationality, What It Is, Why It Seems Scares, and Why It Matters.

...

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