In 'The Scout Mindset', Julia Galef invites readers to adopt the mentality of a scout rather than a soldier, emphasizing curiosity over defensiveness in our pursuit of truth. By exploring the psychological barriers that hinder open-mindedness, she reveals how our beliefs can often cloud our judgment. The book provides practical tools and compelling arguments to help readers cultivate a mindset that seeks to understand the world more accurately. Through fascinating anecdotes and research, Galef demonstrates the power of a scout's approach to decision-making and personal growth. Prepare to challenge your assumptions and embrace a mindset that thrives on discovery and insight.
By Julia Galef
Published: 2021
"To pursue the truth, one must adopt the mindset of a scout—curious, open-minded, and ready to see the world as it is, not as we wish it to be."
"...an engaging and enlightening account from which we all can benefit."—The Wall Street Journal A better way to combat knee-jerk biases and make smarter decisions, from Julia Galef, the acclaimed expert on rational decision-making. When it comes to what we believe, humans see what they want to see. In other words, we have what Julia Galef calls a "soldier" mindset. From tribalism and wishful thinking, to rationalizing in our personal lives and everything in between, we are driven to defend the ideas we most want to believe—and shoot down those we don't. But if we want to get things right more often, argues Galef, we should train ourselves to have a "scout" mindset. Unlike the soldier, a scout's goal isn't to defend one side over the other. It's to go out, survey the territory, and come back with as accurate a map as possible. Regardless of what they hope to be the case, above all, the scout wants to know what's actually true. In The Scout Mindset, Galef shows that what makes scouts better at getting things right isn't that they're smarter or more knowledgeable than everyone else. It's a handful of emotional skills, habits, and ways of looking at the world—which anyone can learn. With fascinating examples ranging from how to survive being stranded in the middle of the ocean, to how Jeff Bezos avoids overconfidence, to how superforecasters outperform CIA operatives, to Reddit threads and modern partisan politics, Galef explores why our brains deceive us and what we can do to change the way we think.
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“To pursue the truth, one must adopt the mindset of a scout—curious, open-minded, and ready to see the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.”
The Scout Mindset
By Julia Galef
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Julia Galef is a renowned author, speaker, and co-founder of the Center for Applied Rationality. She is best known for her book "The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't," which explores the importance of a mindset focused on curiosity and open-mindedness in decision-making. Galef's writing style is characterized by its clear, analytical approach, often blending personal anecdotes with scientific insights to illustrate her points. In addition to her literary contributions, she has given numerous talks and podcasts, advocating for rational thinking and effective communication.
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