The Rational Animal ― How Evolution Made Us Smarter Than We Think; Library Edition

Why do three out of four professional football players gobankrupt? How can illiterate jungle dwellers pass a test that tricks Harvardphilosophers? And why do billionaires work so hard-only to give theirhard-earned money away?When it comes to making decisions, the classic view is thathumans are eminently rational. But growing evidence suggests instead that ourchoices are often irrational, biased, and occasionally even moronic. Which viewis right-or is there another possibility?In this animated tour of the inner workings of the mind, psychologistDouglas T. Kenrick and business professor Vladas Griskevicius challenge theprevailing views of decision making, and present a new alternative grounded inevolutionary science. By connecting our modern behaviors to their ancestralroots, they reveal that underneath our seemingly foolish tendencies is anexceptionally wise system of decision making.From investing money to choosing a job, from buying a car tochoosing a romantic partner, our choices are driven by deep-seated evolutionarygoals. Because each of us has multiple evolutionary goals, though, new researchreveals something radical-there's more than one you making decisions.Although it feels as if there is just one single self inside your head, yourmind actually contains several different sub-selves, each one steering you in adifferent direction when it takes its turn at the controls.The Rational Animalwill transform the way you think about decision making. And along the way, you'lldiscover the intimate connections between ovulating strippers, Wall Streetfinanciers, testosterone-crazed skateboarders, Steve Jobs, Elvis Presley, andyou.