Biological Sciences - In Search of Wisdom

The Matter With Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions and the Unmaking of the World

Posted by Terry | Jan 9, 2022 | Books |

Is the world essentially inert and mechanical – nothing but a collection of things for us to use? Are we ourselves nothing but the playthings of chance, embroiled in a war of all against all? Why, indeed, are we engaged in destroying everything that is valuable to us?

In his international bestseller, The Master and his Emissary, McGilchrist demonstrated that each brain hemisphere provides us with a radically different ‘take’ on the world, and used this insight to deliver a fresh understanding of the main turning points in the history of Western civilisation.
In this landmark new book, Iain McGilchrist addresses some of the oldest and hardest questions humanity faces – ones that, however, have a practical urgency for all of us today. — amazon.co.uk

Nudge: The Final Edition

Posted by Terry | Jan 9, 2022 | Books |

Since the original publication of Nudge more than a decade ago, the word has entered the vocabulary of businesspeople, policy makers, engaged citizens and consumers everywhere. The book has given rise to hundreds of “nudge units” in governments around the world and countless groups of behavioural scientists in every part of the economy. It has taught us how to use thoughtful choice architecture to help us make better decisions for ourselves, our families, and our society.

Now, Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein have updated the book, making use of their experiences in and out of government over the past dozen years as well as an explosion of new research. This final edition offers a wealth of new insights, for both its avowed fans and newcomers, about a wide range of issues that we face in our daily lives — health, personal finance, climate change, and “sludge” (paperwork and other nuisances we don’t want, and that keep us from getting what we do want) — all while honouring one of the cardinal rules of nudging: make it fun! — amazon.co.uk

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

Posted by Terry | Jan 9, 2022 | Books |

In the twenty-first century, humanity is reaching new heights of scientific understanding – and at the same time appears to be losing its mind. How can a species that discovered vaccines for Covid-19 in less than a year produce so much fake news, quack cures and conspiracy theorizing?
Rationality matters. It leads to better choices in our lives and in the public sphere, and is the ultimate driver of social justice and moral progress. Brimming with insight and humour, Rationality will enlighten, inspire and empower. — amazon.co.uk

Faith and Science: Why getting along with each other is so hard.

Posted by Terry | May 5, 2021 | Blog Post, Life together |

Two prominent leaders call for cooperation to confront the challenge of both the coronavirus pandemic and the climate emergency. But to work together in harmony, we have to face up to the brute facts of our need to belong, our tendency to create “them” over against “us”, and our habit of allowing disagreement to escalate into conflict.

The Most Dangerous Animal: Human Nature and the Origins of War

Posted by Terry | May 4, 2021 |

Almost 200 million human beings, mostly civilians, have died in wars over the last century, and there is no end of slaughter in sight.
The Most Dangerous Animal asks what it is about human nature that makes it possible for human beings to regularly slaughter their own kind. — Amazon.co.uk

Subject: Biological Sciences

The Most Dangerous Animal: Human Nature and the Origins of War

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