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#114 Hugo Mercier: The Enigma of Reason, Modularity, and Cognition

The Dissenter

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Why Do People Exchange Arguments in Groups?

One of the functions of reason is to exchange arguments. So when do people disagree? When a solution is to rely on trust, so you can try to figure out who is the most competent. And we think that's what argumentation gives you. Even if I don't trust you in particular, if you give me a good argument, I might change my mind. That's what we see in groups. The pattern is extremely clear when it comes to logical or mathematical problems. If you give some kind of problem for which there is an answer, as long as one person has figured it out, she will be able to convince the whole group and win the discussion. Doctors make better medical diagnosis

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