

#2586
Mentioned in 23 episodes
Wild Problems
A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us
Book • 2022
In 'Wild Problems,' Russ Roberts addresses the big, uncertain decisions in life—such as who to marry, whether to have children, where to move, and how to forge a life well-lived—that cannot be solved using data, science, or traditional rational approaches.
He suggests focusing less on the path that promises the most happiness and more on figuring out who you actually want to be.
Roberts draws on the experiences of great artists, writers, and scientists to lay out strategies for reducing fear and the loss of control when facing these 'wild problems.
' He argues that life should be experienced as a mystery rather than a problem to be solved, and he critiques the idea of relying solely on cost-benefit analysis and utilitarianism for making life's major decisions.
He suggests focusing less on the path that promises the most happiness and more on figuring out who you actually want to be.
Roberts draws on the experiences of great artists, writers, and scientists to lay out strategies for reducing fear and the loss of control when facing these 'wild problems.
' He argues that life should be experienced as a mystery rather than a problem to be solved, and he critiques the idea of relying solely on cost-benefit analysis and utilitarianism for making life's major decisions.
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Mentioned in 23 episodes
Mentioned by
Tim Ferriss as Russ Robert's latest book, exploring challenges of using rationality when facing big life decisions.


288 snips
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
The main subject of the episode, it discusses how to approach life's important decisions.

17 snips
Episode 300: Wild Problems