Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Self-Deceiving Brain

Shankar Vedantam contends that lies and self-deception can be beneficial to human success and well-being in his book Useful Delusions. He explains why some people live longer than others, why some couples remain in love, and why some nations and tribes hold together, based on personal stories and new insights in psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Everyone agrees that lies and self-deception can do terrible harm to our lives, to our communities, and to the planet. However, in "Useful Delusions," host of "Hidden Brain" Shankar Vedantam argues that, paradoxically, deceiving ourselves and others can also play a vital role in human success and well-being.

The lies we tell each other and the lies that we tell ourselves sustain our daily interactions with friends, lovers, and co-workers. They explain why some people live longer than others, why some couples remain in love and others don't, why some nations and tribes hold together while others splinter. Filled with powerful personal stories and drawing on new insights in psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, "Useful Delusions" offers a fascinating tour of an upside-down world.

Vedantam begins by exploring the ways in which our minds create illusions to help us navigate the complex and often unpredictable world around us. He explains that these illusions are not necessarily bad or harmful, but rather are essential for our survival and success. For example, our belief in free will allows us to take responsibility for our actions and make choices that lead to our happiness and well-being. Similarly, our belief in the existence of God or a higher power can provide us with a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

However, Vedantam also acknowledges that these illusions can lead to negative consequences if they are taken too far or become embedded in our culture. For example, our belief in the superiority of our race or religion can lead to discrimination and violence against others. Our belief in the inevitability of success can lead to a sense of entitlement and a lack of motivation to work hard.

Despite these potential pitfalls, Vedantam argues that deceiving ourselves and others can be a useful tool for achieving our goals and improving our well-being. He suggests that we can use our illusions to create positive feedback loops that reinforce our behavior and lead to success. For example, we can deceive ourselves into believing that we are smart or attractive, which can boost our self-esteem and lead to more positive interactions with others. We can also deceive ourselves into believing that we are capable of achieving our goals, which can motivate us to take action and work towards our dreams.

Vedantam also explores the ways in which our culture encourages and reinforces these illusions. He argues that media, advertising, and social norms all play a role in shaping our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and others. For example, media often portrays idealized images of success and beauty, which can create unrealistic expectations and lead to feelings of inadequacy. Advertising often uses persuasive techniques to create a need for products and services, which can lead to consumerism and materialism.

However, Vedantam suggests that we can challenge these illusions and create a more realistic and positive view of ourselves and the world around us. He suggests that we can practice self-reflection and self-awareness to become more aware of our beliefs and attitudes and how they impact our behavior. We can also seek out diverse perspectives and experiences to broaden our understanding of the world and challenge our assumptions and biases.

In conclusion, "Useful Delusions" is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that offers a new perspective on the role of deception in human life. Vedantam argues that deceiving ourselves and others can be a useful tool for achieving our goals and improving our well-being, but that we must be aware of the potential negative consequences and take steps to challenge and overcome these illusions. By practicing self-reflection and self-awareness, we can create a more realistic and positive view of ourselves and the world around us and lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Weight: 222g
Dimension: 139 x 208 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324020288