In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, ted has created a program called. Jan 03, 2012 why, however, would organisms both seek out information and then act to destroy it. An evolutionary biologist investigates why lying and selfdeception play. He received his bachelors and phd from harvard university. A new york times notable book of 2012whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office. Jan 07, 2014 a new york times notable book of 2012whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and selfdeceive but deceit and selfdeception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster.
The book is enlivened by trivers candid personal style, and is a pleasure to read. In deceit and self deception robert trivers, whose work has been acclaimed by figures such as richard dawkins and steven pinker, looks at how and why we so often deceive ourselves we lie to ourselves every day. Deceit and selfdeception by robert trivers penguin books. Trivers has nibbled away at the theme of selfdeception, the subject of this book. Robert trivers is one of the few scientists able to take command of an evolutionary perspective on subterfuge, and in his new book deceit and selfdeception. Sep 19, 2015 a new york times notable book of 2012. Trivers is professor of anthropology and biological sciences and is one of the worlds most influential evolutionary biologists of this. Robert trivers having been cited as one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st century by time, trivers has had one of the greatest individual impacts on the study of social behavior among humans and animals. Deceit and selfdeception by robert trivers avid reader. Robert trivers is an american evolutionary biologist, who has. A new york times notable book of 2012 whether itos in a cockpit at.
Dec 29, 2010 in this tedxjamaica talk robert trivers describes the capacity, role and function of deceit and self deception in humans. The folly of fools is a book about deception and self deception and just the first topics the author examines give you in advance an idea on what the whole book is about. The folly of fools by robert trivers 1111 words bartleby. Dec 25, 2011 the complexity of organisms, trivers suggests, stems at least in part from a primordial arms race between deceit and deceit detection. Tedxjamaica robert trivers deceit and selfdeception. Robert trivers and noam chomsky deceit and selfdeception. Posted april 7, 20, updated may 6, 20, and february 24, 2014 backgroundhow does rutgers deal with real violence vs imagined violence.
Robert trivers scientific work has concentrated on two areas, social theory based on natural selection of which a theory of self deception is one part and the biology of selfish genetic elements which leads to certain kinds of internal genetic conflicts. Newton, trivers recalls, was a master at propagating deception, he was a master at seeing through. Trivers argues that deceit and selfdeception are two sides of the same coin we fool ourselves the better to fool others. Dec 30, 2011 robert triverss new book is a curious document a book about deception and selfdeception that is itself deceptive, in structure, voice and argument. Robert trivers quotes author of the oxford book of modern. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life 3. Tedxjamaica robert trivers deceit and self deception.
In this book, deceit and selfdeception are analyzed from different perspectives of life and different perspectives scientifically. A new york times notable book of 2012 whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and self. After decades of research, robert trivers has at last provided the missing theory to answer these questions. Trivers focuses primarily on humans but he includes examples from many other organisms as well. He explains that deceit and self deceit are costly but they are critical to the survival of the species. Trivers, 9780141019918, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. The illusion of control, the construction of biased social theory, false personal narratives, and so on. Tedx talk on deceit and self deception in kingston jamaica. Fooling yourself the better to fool others by robert trivers. In the earlier portion of the book, trivers traces the way in which self deception involved in human beings and other animals, particularly as a tool to make the transmission of the. All the better to fool you with, my dear robert trivers. Fooling yourself the better to fool others by trivers, robert isbn.
The logic of deceit and self deception in human life. What emerges is a picture of deceit and self deception as, at root, different sides of the same coin. Oct 07, 2011 robert trivers is one of the few scientists able to take command of an evolutionary perspective on subterfuge, and in his new book deceit and selfdeception. We deceive ourselves the better to deceive others, and thereby reap the advantages. This is the british edition of the book published in the usa entitled the folly of fools. Robert trivers unflinchingly argues that selfdeception evolved in the. One of the great thinkers in the history of western thought steven pinker this is not prof. Trivers identifies at the beginning that its still an infant field. The logic of deceit and self deception in human life 9780465027552 by trivers, robert and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. In deceit and self deception robert trivers, whose work has been acclaimed by figures such as richard dawkins and steven pinker, looks at how and why we so often deceive ourselves. Biologist robert trivers has written a fascinating book about the survival value of selfdeception. The folly of fools deceit and self deception by robert trivers fooling yourself the better to fool others.
In this foundational book, robert trivers seeks to answer one of the most provocative and consequential questions to face humanity. In this groundbreaking book, robert trivers examines not only how we self deceive, but also. A biological theory of why we all lie fails to convince. Robert trivers contributor of the oxford book of modern. One important aspect of this is deception, and thats what rutgers anthropology professor robert trivers examines in the folly of fools. In his bold new work, prominent biological theorist robert trivers unflinchingly argues that selfdeception evolved in the service of deceitthe better to fool others. Trivers has nibbled away at the theme of selfdeception, the subject of this book, for over 30 years. Whilst on holiday i decided to read a book telling the life story of one of the worlds most influential evolutionary theorists. Trivers calls deceit a deep feature of life, even a necessity, given. Trivers is a wideangle look at deception, its origins, functions and results. Robert trivers has a track record of producing highly original ideas, which have gone on to stimulate much research. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life first printing by trivers, robert isbn. Robert trivers was the man who produced the unifying theory of kin selection and altruism.
This volume from robert trivers argues that self deceit is an evolutionary trait that emerged to enable individual human beings to more effectively deceive others. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life basic books, 2011 for the new york times. Barash, university of washington, department of psychology, seattle, wa, usa, email. Robert trivers scientific work has concentrated on two areas, social theory based on natural selection and the biology of selfish genetic elements. Symmetry and dance tpz publishers isbn 9780615287560. We do it for biological reasonsin order to help us survive and procreate. For natural selection and social theory, he has selected eleven of his most influential papers, including several classic papers from the early 1970s on the evolution of reciprocal altruism, parentoffspring conflicts, and asymmetry in sexual selection, which helped to establish the centrality. Deceit and self deception by robert trivers mentorbox. In this book, deceit and self deception are analyzed from different perspectives of life and different perspectives scientifically. The bad new is that the forces were dealing withthat is, of deceit and self deception are very powerful.
The logic of deceit and self deception in human life basic books, 2011 for the new york times. Robert triverss new book is a curious document a book about deception and selfdeception that is itself deceptive, in structure, voice and. According to the book the folly of fools the logic of deceit and self deception in human life, written by robert trivers, we as humans lie to ourselves to better lie to others. In the earlier portion of the book, trivers traces the way in which selfdeception involved in human beings and other animals, particularly as a tool to make the transmission of the. The folly of fools is a book about deception and selfdeception and just the first topics the author examines give you in advance an idea on what the whole book is about. The logic of deceit and self deception in human life basic books isbn 9780465027552. Robert trivers is one of the few scientists able to take command of an evolutionary perspective on subterfuge, and in his new book deceit and self deception. What emerges is a picture of deceit and selfdeception as, at root, different sides of the same coin. A new york times notable book of 2012whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and self deceive but deceit and self deception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster.
The logic of deceit and self deception in human life new york. Deceit and self deception download ebook pdf, epub. Why, however, would organisms both seek out information and then act to destroy it. The logic of deceit and self deception in human life 2011, basic books, isbn 0465027555 by robert trivers is a book that examines the evolutionary explanations for deceit and self deception. A new york times notable book of 2012 whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and self deceivebut deceit and self deception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster. Jan 07, 2014 in his bold new work, prominent biological theorist robert trivers unflinchingly argues that selfdeception evolved in the service of deceitthe better to fool others. Like a very disturbing feature of overconfidence is that it often appears to be poorly associated with knowledgethat is, the more ignorant the individual, the more confident he or she maybe. In santa cruz in the 80s, trivers formed a fast friendship with huey newton, the black panther, whom he described as an untutored genius, but one who was also in some respects unteachable. The two began writing a book titled deceit and selfdeception, but the publishing house closed. The question then arises of how the self can be both deceiver and deceived.
Robert trivers is one of the leading figures pioneering the field of sociobiology. Trivers wrote the original foreword to richard dawkins book the selfish gene, in which trivers first proposed his adaptive theory of selfdeception. Biologist robert trivers book the folly of fools tells the manifest ways human beings deceive themselves, from politics and religion to science and everyday life. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life. That is, that the major function of selfdeception is to better deceive others. May 15, 2016 most recently, trivers has created a theory selfdeception as an adaptive evolutionary strategy.
Buy robert trivers ebooks to read online or download in pdf or epub on your pc, tablet or mobile device. Robert trivers is a pioneering figure in the field of sociobiology. His darwinian theory of selfdeception is arguably his most provocative and interesting idea so far. Jan 30, 2014 after decades of research, robert trivers has at last provided the missing theory to answer these questions. Is robert trivers deceiving himself about evolutionary. Aug 16, 2012 tedxjamaica robert trivers deceit and self deception. A new york times notable book of 2012 whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and selfdeceivebut deceit and selfdeception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster. For natural selection and social theory, he has selected eleven of his most influential papers, including several classic papers from the early 1970s on the evolution of reciprocal altruism, parentoffspring conflicts, and asymmetry in sexual selection, which helped to establish the centrality of sociobiology, as well as some. A new york times notable book of 2012whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and selfdeceivebut deceit and selfdeception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster.
The logic of deceit and self deception in human life 3. For us, deceit and self deception are two sides of the same coin and trivers covers a huge amount of ground to make his case. I am rating it one star to catch the attention of readers who might think it is a different book. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life new york. Recently an extraordinary truth was revealed about rutgers university. Trivers wrote the original foreword to richard dawkins book the selfish gene in which trivers first proposed his adaptive theory of selfdeception. This is the best talk i have given on self deception, in part because tedx talks are limited to 20 minutes and in part because it is delivered in jamaica with many local references. The central claim of the book is that self deception evolves in the service of deception and the general argument is that we deceive ourselves the better to deceive others. Robert trivers is a distinguished biologist with an enormous. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, ted has created a program called tedx. The complexity of organisms, trivers suggests, stems at least in part from a primordial arms race between deceit and deceit detection. Rutgersthe first wave of attacks against professor trivers. Biologist robert trivers book the folly of fools tells the manifest ways human beings deceive themselves, from politics and religion to science and everyday.
Despite it not being about the application of evolutionary psychology to the workplace, i thought this post would be of value regardless. Whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and selfdeceivebut deceit and selfdeception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster. Robert trivers s new book is a curious document a book about deception and self deception that is itself deceptive, in structure, voice and argument. The central claim of the book is that selfdeception evolves in the service of deception and the general argument is that we deceive ourselves the better to deceive others. Why do i talk about, or wish to talk about, deception and self deception in the same breath. Deceit and selfdeception by robert trivers penguin. Both make it harder for others to detect your deception, and also allow you to deceive with less immediate cognitive cost.
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