Dual Cognitive Systems for Argumentation

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There are two cognitive systems at play when it comes to producing and evaluating arguments. These systems evolved for group decision-making purposes, not for intricate logical analysis or philosophical considerations. The speculation is that these cognitive mechanisms developed to help individuals align with groups to solve collective problems efficiently. Hence, arguments are likely to be biased and lazy when produced by an individual.

In celebration of How Minds Change, my new book, turning one-year-old, in this episode Michael Taft interviews David McRaney about how minds do and do not change, the process behind writing a book about that, and what he has learned since writing and promoting it.

Michael is a meditation teacher, bestselling author, and a mindfulness coach – and he specializes in secular, science-based mindfulness training. If you are interested in a science-based, secular book about meditation and and mindfulness, I highly recommend his book,The Mindful Geek, snd I recommend guided meditation with him. He offers that at The Alembic in Berkeley. You can join them virtually, over the internet. Links below.

I also recommend his podcast, Deconstructing Yourself. It is all about entheogens and neurofeedback and brain hacking. If you are a Carl Sagan loving, science endorsing, evidence based sort of person – a nerd, geek, or skeptic or humanist who wants to know more about meditation and deep dive into what we do and do not know about it – that's what his podcast is about. Sam Harris will be a guest on there soon, and I think many of you will love that episode.

Deconstructing Yourself

The Alembic

Michael Taft

How Minds Change

David McRaney’s Twitter