#693 Stuart Vyse - The Uses of Delusion: Why It's Not Always Rational to Be Rational
RECORDED ON JULY 20th 2022.
Dr. Stuart Vyse is a psychologist, teacher, speaker, and author who specializes in belief in superstitions and critical thinking. He is a contributing editor for Skeptical Inquirer magazine. He has written personal and professional essays in a variety of places, including the Observer, Medium, The Atlantic, The Good Men Project, Tablet, and Time. His book Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition won the American Psychological Association’s William James Book Award. His latest book is The Uses of Delusion: Why It’s Not Always Rational to Be Rational.
In this episode, we focus on The Uses of Delusion. We start by asking what it means to be rational. We define “delusion”. We go through different delusions and domains where delusions manifest, including self-flattering delusions, optimism and pessimism; health, and traumatic events; superstitions, and rituals; religion; romantic relationships, and dating; self-fulfilling prophecies; dreams; the “self”; and free will, and the illusion of control. Finally, we talk about instrumental rationality.
Time Links:
Intro
What does it mean to be rational?
What is a delusion?
Trusting our intuitions
Self-flattering delusions, optimism and pessimism
Health, and traumatic events
Superstitions, and rituals
Religion
Romantic relationships, and dating
Self-fulfilling prophecies
Dreams
The “self”
Free will, and control
Instrumental rationality
Follow Dr. Vyse’s work!
Follow Dr. Vyse’s work:
Website: https://bit.ly/3LaRgCn
Amazon page: https://amzn.to/3OFnW8u
The Uses of Delusion: https://amzn.to/3MX8GnB
Twitter handle: @stuartvyse