Common sense would suggest that we are in complete control of the
actions we perform - that all our actions are the result of
considered and conscious preparation. Yet, there are countless
examples of this control breaking down, for example, in the case of
phobias and compulsive actions. We can all recall those times when,
in the 'heat of the moment', our actions have been very different
to those that would have resulted from calm and considered
reflection. In extreme moments of 'absent-mindedness' our actions
can even have castastrophic consequences, resulting in harm to
ourselves or others. So why does this happen - why do apparently
rational and intelligent beings make, what appear to be, such
fundamental errors in their thinking. This book explores the idea
that humans have two distinct minds within their brains: one
intuitive and the other reflective. The intuitive mind is old,
evolved early, and shares many of its features with animal
cognition. It is the source of emotion and intuitions, and reflects
both the habits acquired in our lifetime and the adaptive
behaviours evolved by ancient ancestors. The reflective mind, by
contrast, is recently evolved and distinctively human: it enables
us to think in abstract and hypothetical ways about the world
around us and to calculate the future consequences of our actions.
The evolution of the new, reflective mind is linked with the
development of language and the very large forebrains that
distinguish humans from other species; it has also given us our
unique human form of intelligence. On occasions though, our two
minds can come into in conflict, and when this happens, the old
mind often wins. These conflicts are often rationalised so that we,
conscious persons, are unaware that the intuitive mind is in
control. Written by a leading cognitive scientist, this book
demonstrates how much of our behaviour is controlled by automatic
and intuitive mental processes, which shape, as well as compete,
with our conscious thinking and decision making. Accessibly
written, and assuming no prior knowledge of the field, the book
will be fascinating reading for all those interested in human
behaviour, including students and researchers in psychology,
neuroscience, and philosophy.
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