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Philosophy For Our Times
Taking leave of reason | Joanna Kavenna, Rory Sutherland, Rebecca Roache
Nov 28, 2023
Renowned guests Joanna Kavenna, Rory Sutherland, and Rebecca Roache debate the importance of reason in an increasingly chaotic modern age. They question its value in decision-making, explore the complexity of human behavior, discuss the role of serendipity in discovery, and highlight the unintended consequences of pushing rationality to extremes. The podcast explores the balance and limits of reason, reflecting on the parallels between science and the online world, and the value of embracing irrationality.
45:45
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Quick takeaways
- Reason is best used after having an idea, emphasizing the value of random experimentation and not hindering human instinct and creativity.
- The interplay between reason and intuition is important in decision-making, with both serving as valuable tools and correcting each other.
Deep dives
Rationality and the Creative Opportunity Cost
Rory Sutherland argues that while reason is a useful tool, it is best deployed after having an idea rather than as a tool to arrive at ideas. He highlights the creative opportunity cost of demanding good reasons for everything and emphasizes the value of random experimentation. He also questions the notion of a single right answer, pointing out that rationality often leads to the same outcomes as competitors and that many good ideas can be post-rationalized. Sutherland suggests that reason may not be as vital as believed and that rationality should not hinder human instinct and creativity.
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Discover
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