Thinking, Fast and Slow
December 14, 2011
- Author:
- Daniel Kahneman
- Publisher:
- Farrar, Straus and Giroux (10/25/2011)
Amazon | Drawing on decades of research in psychology that resulted in a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on an exploration of what influences thought example by example, sometimes with unlikely word pairs like “vomit and banana.” System 1 and System 2, the fast and slow types of thinking, become characters that illustrate the psychology behind things we think we understand but really don’t, such as intuition. Kahneman’s transparent and careful treatment of his subject has the potential to change how we think, not just about thinking, but about how we live our lives. Thinking, Fast and Slow gives deep — and sometimes frightening — insight about what goes on inside our heads: the psychological basis for reactions, judgments, recognition, choices, conclusions, and much more.
Comments (4)
by Gabriel
Is it worthwhile to read this book?
I’m aware the best way to find out is to read it myself, but it’s a supremely hefty book….and while I have no doubt it will be very informative in expanding my understanding of the mind, here’s the thing…..my goal, isn’t just that; more importantly, I want to understand for the sake of improving myself. I’m intrigued by the System-1/System-2, but does this book actually help you shift your thinking over to System-2? That’s what I’m after….not just to learn, but to seek a practical effect.
I’m curious what others here think of the new book “Mastermind:How to Think like Sherlock Holmes” that draws upon Kahneman’s writing here, and to accomplish the title, as the author is a very big fan of the fictional detective. Does that book actually succeed, I can’t say, but I’m curious what others think….that book might be an interesting addition on this website.
by Editor
If you click through the link to Amazon, the description and reviews suggest that this is an excellent book: Winner of the National Academy of Sciences Best Book Award in 2012, Selected by the New York Times Book Review as one of the best books of 2011, etc. I have not read it yet, but I listed in on our site based on his talk at the recent Singularity Summmit:
http://singularitysummit.com/videos/qa-economist-daniel-kahneman-the-pioneer-of-heuristics/
by Gabriel
Ooh, how informative! Thank you very much :)
by Gabriel
Amazingly, Daniel Kahneman himself answers my question in that link at the 4:30 when he is asked if he himself has benefited from his the research in the way that he thinks….and while he says he has, in some cases, slowed down his thinking, he still largely thinks the same as before and his book was not intended as a self-help book (which was what I was hoping for).
Nevertheless, although it apparently doesn’t seek the practical effect I was hoping for, it all still sounds very intriguing; I’ll see if I can take the time to read a copy.