The Scout Mindset Book

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The Scout Mindset book, set for release on April 13th, introduces the concept of seeing things as they are, rather than as one wishes them to be. The author defines Scout Mindset as striving for intellectual honesty, objectivity, and curiosity about actual truth. The book contrasts this with the default human mindset, termed soldier mindset, which involves defending pre-existing beliefs against contradictory evidence. The Scout Mindset is presented as an alternative, characterized by a role of observing and seeking truth rather than defending or attacking.

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What are "scout" and "soldier" mindsets? How can we have productive disagreements even when one person isn't in scout mindset? Is knowing about good rationality habits sufficient to reason well? When do we naturally tend to be in scout mindset or soldier mindset? When is each mindset beneficial or harmful? Are humans "rationally irrational"? What are the two different types of confidence? What are some practical strategies for shifting our mindset in the moment from soldier to scout?

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