

Daniel Kahneman || A Remarkable Life, Fast and Slow
Apr 15, 2021
In this engaging conversation, Daniel Kahneman shares his extraordinary journey as a psychologist and Nobel laureate. He reflects on his harrowing childhood in Nazi-occupied France and how those experiences shaped his understanding of human behavior. Kahneman discusses key concepts like System 1 and System 2 thinking, the importance of adversarial collaboration in research, and his shift toward hedonic psychology. He also offers insights into well-being research, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of happiness and suffering.
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Father's Imprisonment and Release
- Kahneman's father, imprisoned by Nazis, was released due to his employer's intervention.
- He returned emaciated but dressed in a suit, prioritizing dignity despite starvation.
Encounter with SS Soldier
- A young Kahneman, hiding his Jewish star, encountered an SS soldier during curfew.
- The soldier showed compassion, hugging him, showing a photo of his son, and giving him money.
Life in Hiding and Father's Death
- Kahneman's family escaped occupied France and lived in hiding.
- His father died six weeks before D-Day, and the family remained in hiding until the war's end.