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

"Punchy, funny and invigorating ... Pinker is the high priest of rationalism" — Sunday Times

"If you've ever considered taking drugs to make yourself smarter, read Rationality instead. It's cheaper, more entertaining, and more effective" — Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind

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?

What You'll Discover in Rationality

In Rationality, Pinker rejects the cynical cliché that humans are simply an irrational species — cavemen out of time fatally cursed with biases, fallacies, and illusions. Instead, he argues that:

• We have discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives, and set the benchmarks for rationality itself.
• Humans think in ways that suit the low-tech contexts of daily life but often fail to utilize the powerful tools of reasoning developed over millennia.

These tools include:

• Logic
• Critical thinking
• Probability
• Causal inference
• Decision-making under uncertainty

Pinker explains that these tools are rarely taught in schools and have never been presented clearly and entertainingly in a single book — until now.

Why Rationality Matters

Rationality is essential because:

• It leads to better choices in both our personal lives and the public sphere.
• It serves as the ultimate driver of social justice and moral progress.

Brimming with insight and humor, Rationality will enlighten, inspire, and empower readers.

"A terrific book, much-needed for our time" — Peter Singer