When Bad Thinking Happens to Good People: How Philosophy Can Save Us from Ourselves

The tools of philosophy offer a powerful antidote to the epidemic of irrationality by providing wisdom, insights, and practical skills that can make us more reasonable and responsible citizens. When Bad Thinking Happens to Good People shows how epistemology and ethics can reduce bad thinking and why philosophys millennia-old advice is essential for escaping our current predicament.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The prevalence of irrationality in today's world is a pressing concern. A significant number of individuals have embraced unfounded and even dangerous ideas, leading to a surge in bad thinking. This phenomenon manifests in various ways, such as the belief that vaccinations cause autism, the rejection of scientific consensus on climate change as a hoax, and the attribution of the spread of COVID-19 to conspiracy theories involving the 5G network or a Chinese cabal. Moreover, bad thinking often translates into harmful actions, as evidenced by the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob driven by irrational beliefs.

In response to this epidemic, Steven Nadler and Lawrence Shapiro argue in their book, When Bad Thinking Happens to Good People, that the wisdom, insights, and practical skills of philosophy offer a powerful antidote to bad thinking. The book provides an engaging exploration of the fundamental principles of logic, argument, evidence, and probability, aimed at empowering individuals to become more reasonable and responsible citizens. By delving into epistemology, which deals with the nature of belief and knowledge, and ethics, which examines moral principles that should guide our behavior, the book reveals how these disciplines can help reduce bad thinking. Furthermore, the book underscores the timeless advice of philosophy about leading a good, rational, and examined life as a means of escaping the current predicament.

In the face of irrationality's deadly consequences, When Bad Thinking Happens to Good People emerges as a timely and essential guide for a return to reason. By embracing the tools of philosophy, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of the world, strengthen their critical thinking abilities, and make informed decisions that contribute to a more rational and peaceful society.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 208 x 131 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691227955