How Mercier and Sperber reframe reasoning as justification and argumentation in human interaction. Overview Mercier and Sperber’s The Enigma of Reason challenges one of the most entrenched assumptions in cognitive science: that reason evolved primarily to improve individual knowledge and decision-making. Instead, they argue that reason is best understood as a social adaptation, designed to justify our actions and persuade others. This reframing positions reason not as a solitary truth-seeking faculty, but as a tool for navigating the complexities of human cooperation and communication. Previous works such as Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011), building on his collaboration with Amos Tversky, summarized decades of research revealing flaws in reasoning. Much of human decision-making relies on mental shortcuts or heuristics, characteristic of System 1 thinking, which depend in part on intuitions shaped by regularities in nature. Kahneman emphasized the slow and effortful work of Sy...
Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion By Daryl R. Van Tongeren Book Summary Daryl R. Van Tongeren’s Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion (2024) explores the psychological, social, and existential challenges faced by individuals who no longer identify with a religious tradition. Written for those in the midst of religious deconstruction, deidentification, or reconstruction, the book blends empirical research, personal narrative, and practical guidance to illuminate the complexities of leaving faith behind. Introduction: The Great Disillusionment Van Tongeren begins by situating the book within the broader cultural trend of declining religious affiliation, citing Pew Research Center data on the rise of “religious nones.” He frames this departure as a “great disillusionment,” acknowledging the grief, loss, and longing that often accompany the process. The book is designed to help readers navigate three possible destinations: 1. Deconstruction: questioning and disman...