Tania Lombrozo, a cognitive psychologist at Princeton, dives into the primal human urge for explanations. She explores how our quest for understanding shapes our reasoning and learning processes. Lombrozo discusses the balance between storytelling and rationality, highlighting how narratives can overshadow empirical data. She also examines the complexities of explanation-seeking across species, revealing insights into curiosity's role in learning. The conversation unveils the philosophical dilemmas surrounding what constitutes a 'good' explanation and our limits in understanding.

In this conversation, UFO expert Toby Ball, host of the podcast Strange Arrivals, shares insights about the Rendlesham Forest Incident, exploring the allure and skepticism surrounding unidentified flying objects. Alongside him, Tania Lombrozo, a psychology professor at Princeton, discusses our human tendency to favor simple explanations for complex issues, which can often lead to misinterpretations. Together, they examine the interplay between folklore and reality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing complexity in a world that often seeks simpler narratives.

Why is my friend late? How does nuclear fission work? What occurs when I sneeze? We all need to understand why certain things happen. Some researchers think the drive to explain the world is a basic human impulse, similar to thirst or hunger. This week on Hidden Brain, we begin a three part series on why we tell stories. Psychologist Tania Lombrozo discusses how explanations can lead to discovery, delight, and disaster.