In 'The Elephant in the Brain', Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson delve into the hidden motives behind our social behaviors, revealing the unspoken truths we often ignore. They argue that much of our actions are driven by self-interest, masked by socially acceptable justifications. The authors challenge readers to confront uncomfortable realities about why we do what we do, igniting a conversation about the darker sides of human nature. With wit and insight, they dissect the complexity of human interactions that often evade our consciousness. This thought-provoking exploration of psychology invites you to rethink your understanding of social dynamics and the motives that lie beneath.
By Kevin Simler, Robin Hanson
Published: 2018
"We are more like social animals than we like to believe; our minds are built to serve social goals, often hiding our true motives even from ourselves."
Human beings are primates, and primates are political animals. Our brains, therefore, are designed not just to hunt and gather, but also to help us get ahead socially, often via deception and self-deception. But while we may be self-interested schemers, we benefit by pretending otherwise. The less we know about our own ugly motives, the better - and thus we don't like to talk or even think about the extent of our selfishness. This is the elephant in the brain. Such an introspective taboo makes it hard for us to think clearly about our nature and the explanations for our behavior. The aim of this book, then, is to confront our hidden motives directly - to track down the darker, unexamined corners of our psyches and blast them with floodlights. Then, once everything is clearly visible, we can work to better understand ourselves: Why do we laugh? Why are artists sexy? Why do we brag about travel? Why do we prefer to speak rather than listen? Our unconscious motives drive more than just our private behavior; they also infect our venerated social institutions such as Art, School, Charity, Medicine, Politics, and Religion. In fact, these institutions are in many ways designed to accommodate our hidden motives, to serve covert agendas alongside their official ones. The existence of big hidden motives can upend the usual political debates, leading one to question the legitimacy of these social institutions, and of standard policies designed to favor or discourage them. You won't see yourself - or the world - the same after confronting the elephant in the brain.
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“We are more like social animals than we like to believe; our minds are built to serve social goals, often hiding our true motives even from ourselves.”
The Elephant in the Brain
By Kevin Simler, Robin Hanson
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Kevin Simler is a noted author and thinker recognized for his contributions to the fields of behavioral science and social theory. He is best known for his book 'The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life,' co-authored with Robin Hanson, which explores the unconscious motivations that drive human behavior. Simler's writing often combines insights from psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology, offering readers a fresh perspective on the complexities of human nature. His engaging style, characterized by clarity and intellectual rigor, makes complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. In addition to his books, Simler has published numerous essays and articles that delve into topics such as culture, strategy, and the interplay between individual behavior and societal systems.
Robin Hanson is an esteemed author, economist, and futurist known for his innovative insights into social science and technology. He is a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford and an associate professor of economics at George Mason University. Hanson's notable works include "The Age of Em: Work, Love, and Life When Robots Rule the Earth" and "Eleventh Reason: The Science of Rationality." His writing style is characterized by its blend of rigorous analysis and speculative thought experiments, encouraging readers to explore the implications of future technologies and economic changes.
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