
A psychologist draws on years of research to introduce his "machinery of the mind" model on human decision making to reveal the faults and capabilities of intuitive versus logical thinking.
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The guru to the gurus at last shares his knowledge with the rest of us. Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman's seminal studies in behavioral psychology, behavioral economics, and happiness studies have influenced numerous other authors, including Steven Pinker and Malcolm Gladwell. In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman at last offers his own, first book for the general public. It is a lucid and enlightening summary of his life's work. It will change the way you think about thinking.
Two systems drive the way we think and make choices, Kahneman explains: System One is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System Two is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Examining how both systems function within the mind, Kahneman exposes the extraordinary capabilities as well as the biases of fast thinking and the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and our choices. Engaging the reader in a lively conversation about how we think, he shows where we can trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking, contrasting the two-system view of the mind with the standard model of the rational economic agent.
Kahneman's singularly influential work has transformed cognitive psychology and launched the new fields of behavioral economics and happiness studies. In this path-breaking book, Kahneman shows how the mind works, and offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and personal lives--and how we can guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble.


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Add a CommentThe audio book is a long slow grind, but, worth the effort. Interesting and with applicable personal insights. Kahneman is an interesting author with an unmatchable pedigree. However, a lot of what he proposes is really just common sense. I finished a course in Behavioural Economics recently and he is the father of this subject.
What really threw me completely at the end of the course, was that Kahenman admits, that after everything, our biases are so deeply ingrained and unconscious and we can never really overcome them.
A well-written book, full of practical examples of the author's theory. Two weeks was not enough time to absorb everything, and there are several sections of the book I'd like to read again. I definitely need to learn more about Bayesian analysis.
While I highly recommend this book, I highly recommend you DON'T GET THE AUDIOBOOK — While the material is digestible and accessible, I think it needs slower reading and frequent pauses and re-reading of sentences to stay on track. I'd have been in big trouble if I'd tried to get through it on audio.
The title and description of this book intrigued me. However, I was a little concerned that a Psychologist of Kahneman's stature - Nobel Laureate - would perhaps talk down to me. I need not have worried. While it is obvious that Kahneman has a thorough knowledge of every aspect of this subject he explains everything in language that a layperson like me can understand. A lifetime's worth of research is contained in this book and we the reader's are the beneficiaries. Some of his comments like "Whenever we can replace human judgment by a formula, we should at least consider it," are priceless. His examples to explain a context go a long way in helping us understand the tough topics.
Have not finished this one yet, but already quite impressed....
This book is a "red pill". It can awaken one to the fact that the mind can function in an automatic and unaware fashion that creates a feeling of high confidence in a judgement that is, in fact, a complete error. It is a good companion to "Being Wrong".
Read it, if you dare.
The book was excellently narrated, with a consistent and deep voice, and with minor emphases where needed.
The work itself is so edifying and useful it should make to one's reread once a year list. The end of chapter aphorisms are funny and apt. One practically needs a notebook by one's side to make notes in order to make use of what one learns.
Dr. Kahneman is a Professor of Psychology at Princeton University and won the Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 2002. Humans have two different ways of thinking; and the biases of system 1 (intuitive) can lead system 2 (rational) astray.
However good or bad the book is, I can't say, because the epub would not for anything open on my Nook.
Erudite and well-written, this book amply demonstrates the two systems (fast and slow, automatic and pondering) that comprise our thinking. In particular, Kahneman goes to considerable length to show the weakness inherent in each system of thinking, and in doing so, the strategies and awareness that can help overcome possible problems. Although the work isn’t scholarly, you will certainly need to concentrate to absorb this densely packed book. I’m going to have to revisit this book someday.