The Undercover Philosopher: A Guide to Detecting Shams, Lies, and Delusions - Softcover

Philips, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1851685812 ISBN 13: 9781851685813

Publisher: Oneworld Publications, 2008

Synopsis

What caused the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986? Why were thousands of parents wrongly accused of child sex abuse in the 1990s? Why do law courts throughout the world rely on a process that is next to useless? And why do people entrust millions of dollars each year to hedge-funds that economists agree use flawed financial models?

The answer is failure. Not just any failure; but failure of knowledge. In this gripping and controversial book, Michael Phillips outlines all the reasons we don’t know what we think we do, and the devastating consequences this can have. From false memories to fraudulent experts, Phillips treads in the footsteps of Descartes to reveal why we must be more careful in what we believe and how we think. Spanning psychology, philosophy, science, and sociology, this unique exploration of why we get things wrong, and how to guard against it, is an essential read for anyone seeking to make sense of the chaotic world in which we live.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Philips taught philosophy at American and Canadian universities for more than thirty years. Professor emeritus, performance artist, and author of numerous books and scholarly articles, he has written for publications ranging from Mind and Philosophy Now to the New York Times.

From the Back Cover

This book can fundamentally change what you believe – and whom you trust. From the tricks our brains play on us to the failings of group dynamics, we make decisions every day based on faulty information and untrustworthy advice. We see what isn’t there, remember what never happened, and put our trust in experts who are as fallible as we are.

By drawing on the latest in philosophy, science, and psychology, Michael Philips reveals a broad range of dangerous shams, lies, and delusions, and provides some ground-breaking tips for seeing through the simple untruths that pervade modern life. Succinct and entertaining, The Undercover Philosopher is an essential guide to what (and whom) we should believe, in every part of life, from medical diagnoses and financial advice to morality and religion.

Michael Philips taught philosophy at American and Canadian universities for more than thirty years. Professor emeritus, performance artist, and author of numerous books and scholarly articles, he has written for publications ranging from Mind and Philosophy Now to the New York Times.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1851685812
• ISBN 13: 9781851685813
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 296