Are Base Rates the Most Incendiary of All?

Are some thoughts too evil to think? Sometimes we avoid seemingly rational lines of reasoning, not because of logic, innumeracy or ignorance, but for morality. In his guide to thinking better, Professor Steven Pinker explores the trade-offs between taboos and our ability to reason clearly.

Steven’s joined by Philip Tetlock, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, author of ‘Super Forecasting’ and the psychologist who originated the modern study of taboo. And by Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. When she needed a kidney transplant, and then another, should she have been able to simply buy one online?

Producers: Imogen Walford and Joe Kent Editor: Emma Rippon

Think with Pinker is produced in partnership with The Open University.