The folly of fools : the logic of deceit and self-deception in human life / Robert Trivers.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Trivers, Robert, 1943-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Self-deception.

Deception--Psychological aspects.

Deception.

Deception--Social aspects.

Physical Description:

xvi, 397 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Basic Books, [2011]

Summary:

Why did intellect and language evolve to include lies and self- deception? Trivers (anthropology and biological sciences, Rutgers U.) presents a general theory based on evolutionary logic to answer this intriguing question. He argues that deception, which occurs even between our brain hemispheres, is closely tied to group conflict, courtship, neurophysiology and immunology, but can be overridden by awareness of it and its consequences. The accessible book is based on extensive reference material, and bears an endorsement by Richard Dawkins (The Selfish Gene). Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

The evolutionary logic of self-deception

Deception in nature

Neurophysiology and levels of imposed self-deception

Self-deception in the family

and the split self

Deceit, self-deception, and sex

The immunology of self-deception

The psychology of self-deception

Self-deception in everyday life

Self-deception in aviation and space disasters

False historical narratives

Self-deception and war

Religion and self-deception

Self-deception and the structure of the social sciences

Fighting self-deception in our own lives.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780465027552

0465027555

OCLC:

701015481