5 Books That Will Make You Smarter Than 98% of People

Summary

In this video, the creator shares five powerful books that will make you smarter than 98% of people. These books cover topics like cognitive biases, psychology, emotional intelligence, and moral reasoning. The recommended titles include 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman, 'Stumbling on Happiness' by Dan Gilbert, 'Untethered Soul' by Michael Singer, and 'The Righteous Mind' by Jonathan Haidt, among others. Each book provides insights into human behavior, decision-making, and self-awareness, offering valuable perspectives for anyone looking to improve their thinking and live a more intentional life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cognitive biases impact our decision-making. Understanding them, like anchoring bias, availability bias, and loss aversion, can help you make smarter choices.
• 😀 *Thinking, Fast and Slow* by Daniel Kahneman explains how we can become aware of the cognitive biases that shape our thoughts and decisions, giving us the ability to think more objectively.
• 😀 *Psychology* (5th Edition) by Daniel Gilbert offers a deep dive into neuroscience, philosophy, and behaviorism, helping you understand complex human behavior and psychology through primary sources.
• 😀 Your memories are not absolute. They are influenced by your current emotional state, leading to distorted recollections of past events.
• 😀 The book *Stumbling on Happiness* reveals how our brains play tricks on us, especially in how we perceive happiness and the future, influencing our decisions.
• 😀 *Untethered Soul* by Michael Singer explores the concept of detaching from the constant chatter in our minds, encouraging you to observe your thoughts instead of identifying with them.
• 😀 True self-awareness involves understanding the distinction between your true essence and the 'gunk' of learned behaviors, judgments, and thoughts.
• 😀 *The Righteous Mind* by Jonathan Haidt explores moral reasoning and how people use post-hoc justification to rationalize their decisions, explaining the divide between liberals and conservatives.
• 😀 Morality is often influenced by a set of core values, and understanding this can help explain why people with different values often find it hard to agree on moral or political issues.
• 😀 *The Lessons of History* by William and Ariel Durant highlights recurring patterns in history, such as the fragility of civilization and the cycles of competition and cooperation that drive innovation or stagnation.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind Daniel Kahneman's book 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'?

The main idea is that we have two modes of thinking: fast, intuitive thinking (System 1) and slow, deliberate reasoning (System 2). Kahneman explains how cognitive biases, such as anchoring or confirmation bias, influence our decisions without us even realizing it, and how becoming aware of these biases can make us smarter.

How can cognitive biases like 'anchoring bias' affect our decision-making?

'Anchoring bias' occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive. For example, if we’re told a product costs $6,000, and then it's offered at $4,000, we perceive it as a huge discount, even if $4,000 is still expensive. Being aware of this bias helps us make more objective decisions.

Why does the speaker recommend 'Psychology (5th Edition)' by Daniel Gilbert?

The book is recommended because it provides a comprehensive understanding of human psychology, neuroscience, and behaviorism. It presents information based on primary research, helping readers grasp foundational concepts in psychology that are often distorted in secondary sources.

What psychological concept does 'Stumbling on Happiness' by Daniel Gilbert explore?

'Stumbling on Happiness' explores how our brains misjudge what will bring us happiness. It highlights how we are often inaccurate in predicting future emotions and how our memories of past events can be distorted by our current feelings, affecting our decision-making.

How does 'The Untethered Soul' by Michael Singer explain the relationship between thoughts and self-awareness?

'The Untethered Soul' suggests that you are not your thoughts; rather, you are the observer of your thoughts. The book teaches how to become aware of the 'inner roommate'—the voice in your head—and detach from negative or limiting thoughts, fostering greater emotional freedom and self-awareness.

What is the key message of 'The Righteous Mind' by Jonathan Haidt regarding moral reasoning?

'The Righteous Mind' suggests that moral reasoning is often a post-hoc justification. We make quick moral judgments and then rationalize them. The book also discusses how different moral foundations (e.g., care, liberty, fairness) shape our political and social beliefs, which can lead to division and conflict.

How does the speaker relate morality to human behavior across cultures and time?

The speaker refers to C.S. Lewis' argument in 'Mere Christianity', claiming that the universal presence of moral codes (e.g., don't kill, be fair) across different cultures proves the existence of a higher power. Despite cultural differences, humans tend to share similar moral standards, suggesting a common origin.

What lessons can be learned from 'The Lessons of History' by Will and Ariel Durant?

'The Lessons of History' teaches that history is full of cycles of cooperation and competition, and civilizations often repeat the same mistakes. One key takeaway is that civilization is fragile, and without law and order, societies quickly revert to chaos. Understanding these historical trends can help us navigate current global challenges.

Why is emotional intelligence important in decision-making, according to the speaker?

Emotional intelligence is crucial because it helps us become aware of our emotions and understand the motivations behind our decisions. The speaker stresses that most people make decisions on autopilot, influenced by unconscious emotional responses, but becoming more self-aware allows us to make better, more intentional choices.

What does the speaker mean by 'autopilot' in the context of decision-making?

'Autopilot' refers to the unconscious, habitual way many people live their lives, making decisions without reflecting on the reasoning behind them. The speaker suggests that by waking up from this autopilot state and developing self-awareness, people can make more conscious choices about their careers, relationships, and lives in general.