In a world where natural selection has shaped adaptations of
astonishing ingenuity, what is the scope and unique power of
rational thinking? In this short but wide-ranging book, philosopher
Ronald de Sousa looks at the twin set of issues surrounding the
power of natural selection to mimic rational design, and rational
thinking as itself a product of natural selection. While we
commonly deem ourselves superior to other species, the logic of
natural selection should not lead us to expect that nature does
everything for the best. Similarly, rational action does not always
promote the best possible outcomes. So what is the difference? Is
the pursuit of rationality actually an effective strategy? Part of
the answer lies in language, including mathematics and science.
Language is the most striking device by which we have made
ourselves smarter than our nearest primate cousins. Sometimes the
purely instinctual responses we share with other animals put
explicit reasoning to shame: the movements of a trained athlete are
faster and more accurate than anything she could explicitly
calculate. Language, however, with its power to abstract from
concrete experience and to range over all aspects of nature,
enables breathtakingly precise calculations, which have taken us to
the moon and beyond. Most importantly, however, language enables us
to formulate an endless multiplicity of values, in potential
conflict with one another as well as with instinctual imperatives.
In short, this sophisticated and entertaining book shows how our
rationality and our irrationality are inextricably intertwined.
Ranging over a wide array of evidence, it explores the true
ramifications of being human in the natural world. "This is a
delightful book, in which de Sousa articulates some challenging
convictions concerning the role of rationality in human thought,
while also retaining and making deft use of some of his longest
held views.... Why Think? is an important touchstone in helping us
to understand how we can approach rationality as a phenomenon that
must ultimately be part of a successful theory of mind."-Craig
DeLancy, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "De Sousa remarks: 'When
enough people share a delusion, it loses its status as a psychosis
and gets a religious tax exemption instead.' At that point, I knew
I was going to love this book-and it is indeed a lot of fun. Why
Think? is also good and clever. I have always said that the reason
why philosophers are so disliked on university campuses is that we
are brighter than anyone else and have trouble concealing the fact.
Ronnie de Sousa does nothing to change this perception.... This is
a great little book that should be read by many people." -Michael
Ruse, Florida State University, Literary Review of Canada "Why
Think? is Ronnie de Sousa at his brilliant best- immensely learned,
witty, bold, and a model of clarity. This book is a timely balance
to the weight of data emphasizing the emotions and nonconscious
processing in decision-making. It weaves coherent story out of a
lot of bits and pieces lying about in loose confusion." -Patricia
Smith Churchland, President's Professor of Philosophy, University
of California, San Diego "This book is a tour de force of scholarly
insights on one of the most subtle puzzles in cognitive science-the
relation between rationality and evolution." -Keith E. Stanovich,
author of The Robot's Rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of
Darwin
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