The Wright Show cover image

The Wright Show

The Dharma of Bob 3: Cognitive Biases (Robert Wright & Josh Summers)

Jan 26, 2021
Josh Summers, a yoga teacher and meditation practitioner known for his insights on mindfulness, joins Robert Wright to discuss cognitive biases. They explore how these evolutionarily developed mental shortcuts affect our views on issues like the Capitol riot and tribalism. The conversation highlights the importance of mindfulness in recognizing biases and promoting interdependence in a divided world. They also examine the role of fear and hope in political discourse, emphasizing the need for courage to engage with differing perspectives.
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Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Cognitive biases like attribution error and confirmation bias profoundly affect how we perceive others and contribute to societal conflicts.
  • Practices such as mindfulness and meditation are vital for individuals to recognize and address cognitive biases in their daily lives.

Deep dives

Cognitive Bias and Optimistic Views

Cognitive biases play a significant role in shaping our perceptions and decisions. Optimistic bias, the tendency to expect positive outcomes, often contrasts with the accuracy of pessimistic assessments, which can coincide with more realistic predictions. This duality raises questions about happiness and delusion in our expectations of the future, especially in the context of changing societal landscapes. Additionally, the discussion emphasizes the importance of situating oneself in conducive environments, as a term introduced in the conversation, 'topophilia,' describes the positive effects of loving and feeling connected to a place.

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