Rationality (book)

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Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters
Rationality (Steven Pinker).png
First edition cover
AuthorSteven Pinker
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectRationality
PublisherViking
Publication date
September 28, 2021
Pages432
ISBN978-0-525-56199-6
OCLC1237806678
153.4/2
LC ClassBF441 .P56 2021

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters is a 2021 book written by Canadian-American cognitive scientist Steven Pinker.[1] The book was published on September 28, 2021, by the Viking imprint of Penguin Random House.[2]

It argues that rationality is a key driver of moral and social progress, and it attempts to resolve the apparent conflict between scientific progress and increasing levels of disinformation. Pinker explains several concepts underlying rationality, including from the fields of logic, probability theory, statistics, and social choice.[3]

Reception[]

The book debuted at number nine on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list for the week ending October 2, 2021.[4]

In its starred review, Publishers Weekly wrote, "He manages to be scrupulously rigorous yet steadily accessible and entertaining."[5] Kirkus Reviews wrote, "The author can be heady and geeky, but seldom to the point that his discussions shade off into inaccessibility."[6]

References[]

  1. ^ Pinker, Steven (2021). "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters". stevenpinker.com. Retrieved 2021-05-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Pinker, Steven. "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 2021-10-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters". Penguin Random House. 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction - Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  5. ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters by Steven Pinker. Viking, $32 (432p) ISBN 978-0-525-56199-6". Publishers Weekly. June 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  6. ^ "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters by Steven Pinker". Kirkus Reviews. June 23, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

External links[]


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