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The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking: How Irrational Beliefs Keep Us Happy, Healthy, and Sane Audiobook
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(2.97) - 121 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this witty and perceptive debut, a former editor at Psychology Today shows us how magical thinking makes life worth living.
Psychologists have documented a litany of cognitive biases—misperceptions of the world—and explained their positive functions. Now, Matthew Hutson shows us that even the most hardcore skeptic indulges in magical thinking all the time—and it’s crucial to our survival.
Drawing on evolution, cognitive science, and neuroscience, Hutson shows us that magical thinking has been so useful to us that it’s hardwired into our brains. It encourages us to think that we actually have free will. It helps make us believe that we have an underlying purpose in the world. It can even protect us from the paralyzing awareness of our own mortality. In other words, magical thinking is a completely irrational way of making our lives make rational sense.
With wonderfully entertaining stories, personal reflections, and sharp observations, Hutson reveals our deepest fears and longings.
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"This is fantastic! A good humored examination of all the unprovable beliefs of life. I'd love to see to Matthew Hutson and the author Mary Roach tag-team some major subject, they both examine everything with equal parts clear scientific thinking and wry commentary."
— Gloriavirtutisumbra (4 out of 5 stars)
The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking Listener Reviews
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" Pop science and I love the subject but the writing did nothing for me. Did not finish. "
— Stephanie, 11/22/2013 -
" I found this book incredibly boring and unfocused. I made it to the end but just barely. "
— Tamara, 11/9/2013 -
" Not a bad read. Just don't really buy into some of the conclusions. "
— Daniel, 11/8/2013 -
" Some interesting information here and the writing is entertaining and personal. I enjoyed the way he linked various studies with which I was already familiar to his notion of magical thinking. "
— Katherine, 10/8/2013 -
" But not as magical as I'd hoped! "
— Savina, 8/20/2013 -
" Everyone is guilty of magical thinking and it's a good thing. "
— Jack, 8/14/2013 -
" Meh. A decent book on superstitious beliefs, but often digressed or made associations between topics that seem to ramble than provide a critical analysis. I would suggest reading "The Science of Superstition" by Bruce Hood instead. "
— Clayton, 8/5/2013 -
" if you can't sleep - this will help * yawn * not so good.... "
— Esme, 6/14/2013 -
" I was really only interested in Chapter 7 of this book, but I'd hoped to find the rest of it just as engaging. I did not--and ended up skimming half the chapters. "
— Emily, 3/24/2013 -
" This is the most boring book I have read in years. I could only make it to the halfway point. The premise in interesting, but oh my God. I was reading 10 pages a night to put myself to sleep. "
— Paula, 11/19/2012 -
" I liked the way the author talked about our biolgical ways of being and how magical thinking helps our evolutionary existence. It was an interesting read and he doesn't try to convince anyone of belief or nonbelief. "
— Jill, 7/22/2012 -
" Light and entertaining, Hutson's "laws" don't withstand much critical scrutiny. "
— Skip, 7/5/2012
About Matthew Hutson
Don Hagen has been behind the microphone since fifth grade. He is a nine-time winner of the Peer Award for narration/voice-over and twice winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also been heard in radio and television commercials and documentaries. In addition to his freelance voice work, he is a member of the audiobook narration team at the Library of Congress.