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

Episode guests

Joanna Kavenna

Rebecca Roache

Rory Sutherland

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

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.

Introduction

4min

The Role of Reason and Its Limitations in Decision-Making

26min

Exploring the Complexity of Human Behavior

7min

The Role of Serendipity and Limitations of Logic in Discovery

2min

Unintended consequences, serendipity, and the limitations of star ratings

3min

Exploring the Balance and Limits of Reason

5min

Is rationality as vital as we think?

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Philosophers from Spinoza and Hegel to Bertrand Russell argued that logic and reason are the key to understanding the world. But is this a fundamental error? After all, recent studies show that reason does not lead to more successful outcomes in business or personal relationships. Should we abandon the idea that reason is the key either to truth or successful action? Or should we see reason as vital to follow through the consequences of our beliefs? In an increasingly chaotic intellectual age, do we need reason more than ever to contain conflict, or is reason no more than a justification of prejudice?

Award-winning English novelist Joanna Kavenna, renowned public intellectual Rory Sutherland, philosopher and senior Lecturer Rebecca Roache debate whether we need reason as much as we think we do in an increasingly chaotic modern age. Bahar Gholipour hosts.

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