ciphergoth comments on Open Thread June 2010, Part 3 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Kevin 14 June 2010 06:14AM

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Comment author: ciphergoth 17 June 2010 11:40:12AM 1 point [-]

I recently read a fascinating paper that argued based on what we know about cognitive bias that our capacity for higher reason actually evolved as a means to persuade others of what we already believe, rather than as a means to reach accurate conclusions. In other words, rationalization came first and reason second.

Unfortunately I can't remember the title or the authors. Does anyone remember this paper? I'd like to refer to it in this talk. Thanks!

Comment author: Morendil 17 June 2010 11:43:58AM 4 points [-]

That would probably be "Why do humans reason" by Mercier and Sperber, which I covered in this post.

Comment author: ciphergoth 17 June 2010 11:51:28AM 0 points [-]

The very one. Thanks - and wow, that was swift!