Rational Thought – Page 2 – How Do You Think?

Cognitive Conservatism, Moral Relativism, Bias, and Human Flourishing

by Gerald GuildErroneous Thinking, Morality, Politics, Rational Thought, Religion March 26, 2011January 18, 20242 Comments

I am a caring and compassionate man with deep concerns about humanity. Of utmost importance to me is the issue of human flourishing, which roughly translated, incorporates wellness, happiness, success, and adaptive functioning not only for the individual, but for society in general. Individual flourishing necessitates societal flourishing and vice versa. One does not rise …

Narrative Fallacy

by Gerald GuildAdaptive Unconscious, Erroneous Thinking, Evolution, Psychology, Rational Thought, Skepticism, Superstition March 13, 2011August 27, 20123 Comments

Evolution has conferred upon us a brain that is capable of truly amazing things. We have, for thousands of years, been capable of creating incredibly beautiful art, telling compelling tales, and building magnificent structures. We have risen from small and dispersed tribal bands to perhaps the dominate life force on the planet. Our feats have …

Tribal Moral Community

by Gerald GuildMorality, Politics, Religion February 25, 2011December 22, 20123 Comments

We humans are a unique species – capable of both incredible compassion and unequaled brutality. We are also unique in the degree to which we congregate in social communities. Social Psychologists refer to this propensity to gather as we do, as being ultra social. Unlike other ultra social species (e.g., wasps, ants, bees, termites, and …

2010 – A Year in Review: How Do You Think?

by Gerald GuildAdaptive Unconscious, Autism, Erroneous Thinking, Evolution, Genetics, Happiness, Invisible Gorilla, Memory, Morality, Multitasking, Parenting, Placebo Effect, Politics, Psychology, Rational Thought, Religion, Science, Skepticism, Superstition January 5, 2011October 3, 20122 Comments

Have you ever heard someone make an argument that leaves you shaking your head in disbelief? Does it seem to you like some people are coming from a completely different reality than your own? If so, then this blog is for you. I have spent the last year trying to develop an understanding of the …

Human Nature at the Core of the Political Divide

by Gerald GuildEvolution, Morality, Politics, Psychology November 12, 2010December 22, 20126 Comments

Are you as perplexed as I regarding the acrimony in American Politics? The rift is peppered with claims of amorality and threats of calamity. It’s almost as if the opposing parties come from entirely different realities. Perhaps they do. I have gained some insight into the liberal-conservative divide thanks to Jonathon Haidt’s work, particularly his …

Willpower: What is it really?

by Gerald GuildNeurology, Psychology, Rational Thought October 1, 2010January 7, 20132 Comments

Why do you sometimes choose that scrumptious chocolate desert even when you are full? Why is it that you are sometimes drawn in by the lure of the couch and TV when you should be exercising or at least reading a good book? And why do you lose your patience when you are hungry or …

The IAT: Questions of Reliability and Validity

by Gerald GuildAdaptive Unconscious, Erroneous Thinking, Psychology, Rational Thought, Skepticism September 10, 2010September 26, 20129 Comments

The Implicit Associations Test (IAT) is a very popular method for measuring implicit (implied though not plainly expressed) biases. Greenwald, one of the primary test developers, suggests that “It has been self-administered online by millions, many of whom have been surprised—sometimes unpleasantly—by evidence of their own unconscious attitudes and stereotypes regarding race, age, gender, ethnicity, …

I’m Not Prejudiced – Are You?: The Illusion of an Open Mind

by Gerald GuildErroneous Thinking, Evolution, Parenting, Psychology September 3, 2010November 3, 20132 Comments

My wife and I recently spent some time in New York City and one of our traditions is to take in a Broadway show. This time we stepped a bit off-Broadway to see the bawdy but Tony Award Winning Avenue Q. On the surface, this show seems silly, but it actually addresses some important issues. …

The Illusion of Cause – Vaccines and Autism

by Gerald GuildAutism, Erroneous Thinking, Evolution, Invisible Gorilla, Neurology, Parenting, Psychology, Rational Thought, Skepticism August 20, 2010September 26, 20123 Comments

There are many well intentioned folks out there who believe that childhood vaccinations cause Autism. Last week I covered the origins of this belief system as well as its subsequent debunking in Vaccines and Autism. Despite the conclusive data that clearly establishes no causal link between vaccines and Autism, the belief lives on. Why is …

Looking Forward – Looking Back

by Gerald GuildAdaptive Unconscious, Erroneous Thinking, Evolution, Memory, Morality, Rational Thought, Religion, Skepticism July 30, 2010October 3, 2012One Comment

I find myself in an untenable situation. I have plenty to write about but I am finding that the choices I am making right now, in the splendor of summer, give me limited time and energy to write. I’ve decided to take a short hiatus. Over the last seven months my writing has been …