The Enigma of Reason: A New Theory of Human Understanding by Dan Sperber and Hugo Mercier (2018)

In this book, The Enigma of Reason, Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber argue that reason is not geared to solitary use, to arriving at better beliefs and decisions on our own. Reason, we are told, is what makes us human, the source of our knowledge and wisdom. If reason is so valuable, why didn’t it … Continue reading The Enigma of Reason: A New Theory of Human Understanding by Dan Sperber and Hugo Mercier (2018)

Why Do Humans Reason? Arguments for an Argumentative Theory Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber (2010)

Abstract Reasoning is generally seen as a means to improve knowledge and make better decisions. However, much evidence shows that reasoning often leads to epistemic distortions and poor decisions. This suggests that the function of reasoning should be rethought. Our hypothesis is that the function of reasoning is argumentative. It is to devise and evaluate … Continue reading Why Do Humans Reason? Arguments for an Argumentative Theory Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber (2010)

Two Interesting Theories of Reason Social reasoningand the narrative paradigm

Gurteen Knowledge Blog   April 1, 2022, 11:59I have been working in the Knowledge Management field for over twenty years, and I am still amazed when I stumble over theories and ideas I should have learned about years ago. Last year, I uncovered The Argumentive Theory of Human Reasoning – a theory proposed by Dan Sperber and … Continue reading Two Interesting Theories of Reason Social reasoningand the narrative paradigm

The Argumentative Theory of Human Reason We did not evolve to reason individually but to reason socially

The argumentative theory of reasoning proposes that reason did not evolve to help us to reason individually but to reason together – in other words, socially. Reasoning is generally seen as the process of thinking about something to help us come to better beliefs and decisions. However, there is substantial evidence that our reasoning process, … Continue reading The Argumentative Theory of Human Reason We did not evolve to reason individually but to reason socially