Join philosophers Subrena Smith and Paul Bloom as they dive into the complex relationship between rationality and intuition. Smith critiques evolutionary psychology's reliance on reason, while Bloom defends rationality's crucial role. They explore how consciousness interacts with various cognitive states, including flow experiences during peak performance. The discussion raises thought-provoking questions about balancing rational thought with personal narratives and emotional insights, especially in relation to societal decision-making.
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insights INSIGHT
Thinking Fast and Slow
Thinking can be categorized as fast or slow, according to Daniel Kahneman.
Fast thinking is intuitive and emotional, while slow thinking is reflective and deliberate.
insights INSIGHT
Rationality's Importance
Fast thinking is useful for quick actions and creative sparks.
Slow, rational thinking is crucial for complex tasks, morality, and finding common ground.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Impaired Slow Thinking
People with frontal lobe damage or dementia lose the slow thinking system.
Getting drunk also impairs slow thinking, hindering complex tasks and interactions.
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Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
1984
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George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Thinking set free
Is the emphasis our modern society places on rationality well-placed? Does rationality help us think or should we be in tune with other ways of thinking/perceiving the world?
Join our diverse panel of speakers as they discuss these questions: Stuart Hameroff, anesthesiologist known for the theory of consciousness he developed with Roger Penrose; Subrena Smith, philosopher and vocal critic of evolutionary explanations of behaviour; and Paul Bloom, professor of psychology and cognitive science (and staunch defender of rationality).
Philosophy For Our Times 
