The folly of fools

In this book, Robert Trivers argues that self-deception evolved to facilitate deceit, helping individuals to better fool others and thereby enhance their survival and reproductive success.

Trivers draws on a wide range of examples from biology, anthropology, history, and politics to illustrate how self-deception operates at both individual and societal levels.

He discusses how self-deception can lead to harmful outcomes for both the individual and society, and he examines various forms of deception, including false historical narratives, family dynamics, and political manipulation.

The book is a comprehensive and provocative exploration of the complex and often harmful nature of self-deception.