The Logic of Self-Destruction: The Algorithm of Human Rationality - Softcover

Blakeway, Matthew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0992796121 ISBN 13: 9780992796129

Publisher: Meyer Leboeuf, 2014

Synopsis

Why do knowingly act in ways that undermine our own wellbeing, like loving the wrong person or staying in an unfulfilling job? Why are ideologies so compelling? Why are we so convinced that our own, deeply held views are irrefutable? The Logic of Self-Destruction argues that our emotions are at the heart of our problems, and that if we can see the human brain for what it really is - a robustly logical, computing device, we can finally understand how those emotions are really formed. Matthew Blakeway's engaging multidisciplinary argument applies a logician's rigour to genetics, linguistics, socio-biology and evolutionary psychology, to investigate the unique human ability to affect and suppress emotional behaviour. In showing how everything from the British stiff-upper-lip to abusive relationships, from the rise of fundamentalist regimes to the failure of economies, stem from this problem, he provides new tools for understanding our motivations and shaping our futures.

• In The Logic of Self-Destruction, Matthew Blakeway takes the reader on an fascinating journey through the logic of human behaviour. He uses a series of thought experiments based in everyday situations to reveal how we manipulate our emotions tactically - as individuals, social tribes and societies - and explores the consequences of this.
• He challenges the assumption that happiness is an innate, instinctive human emotion and demonstrates what mystical 'higher states of being' have in common with art appreciation.
• He investigates the suppression of emotional behaviour in groups to explain how humiliation on the parade ground turns a soldier into a killer, and how totalitarian regimes are perpetuated.
• He reveals why ideology is more powerful than scientific evidence, and explains why climate change denial and even genocide can be explained rationally.

About this title

Review

Via a series of thought experiments, Blakeway offers a fascinating journey through evolutionary theory, philosophy and psychology. While assuming that humans are robustly logical, he explains self-destructive actions and ideological beliefs. From an innovative analysis of the Holocaust to reflections on rising fundamentalism, his argument is convincing. Essential for anyone interested in human behaviour and our collective future. --Times Higher Education, 9 October, 2014

Nominated as one of the books of 2014 by Martin Cohen, editor of The Philosopher. --Times Higher Education, 18 December, 2014

This is a book, both comprehensive and thought-provoking, with a timely thesis that is a must read for anyone interested in human behavior and our collective future. Beliefs, Self-Destruction and the Rational Mind; by Claire Fletcher-Flinn --Frontiers in Psychology, 7 November 2014

About the Author

Matthew Blakeway studied philosophy, mathematics and formal logic before pursuing a career in investment banking. He structured and modified financial derivatives and complex financing mechanisms in an industry where the reverse engineering of competitors systems is common practice. After twenty years spent analysing and manipulating abstract conceptual frameworks, he began to develop a theory that humans are abstract mechanisms and that we, too, can be reverse engineered. The Logic of Self-Destruction is the culmination of that journey of discovery.

Edition details

• Publisher: Meyer Leboeuf
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0992796121
• ISBN 13: 9780992796129
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 388