The folly of fools : the logic of deceit and self-deception in human life

Whether it's in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and self-deceive -- but deceit and self-deception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster. So why does deception play such a prominent role in our everyday lives? In short, why do we deceive? In his bold new work, prominent biological theorist Robert Trivers unflinchingly argues that self-deception evolved in the service of deceit -- the better to fool others. We do it for biological reasons -- in order to help us survive and procreate. From viruses mimicking host behavior to humans misremembering (sometimes intentionally) the details of a quarrel, science has proven that the deceptive one can always outwit the masses. But we undertake this deception at our own peril. Trivers has written an ambitious investigation into the evolutionary logic of lying and the costs of leaving it unchecked. Explores The Author's Theorized Evolutionary Basis For Self-deception, Which He Says Is Tied To Group Conflict, Courtship, Neurophysiology, And Immunology, But Can Be Negated By Awareness Of It And Its Results. The Evolutionary Logic Of Self-deception -- Deception In Nature -- Neurophysiology And Levels Of Imposed Self-deception -- Self-deception In The Family -- And The Split Self -- Deceit, Self-deception, And Sex -- The Immunology Of Self-deception -- The Psychology Of Self-deception -- Self-deception In Everyday Life -- Self-deception In Aviation And Space Disasters -- False Historical Narratives -- Self-deception And War -- Religion And Self-deception -- Self-deception And The Structure Of The Social Sciences -- Fighting Self-deception In Our Own Lives. Robert Trivers. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 355-383) And Index. Why did intellect and language evolve to include lies and self- deception? Trivers (anthropology and biological sciences, Rutgers U.) presents a general theory based on evolutionary logic to answer this intriguing question. He argues that deception, which occurs even between our brain hemispheres, is closely tied to group conflict, courtship, neurophysiology and immunology, but can be overridden by awareness of it and its consequences. The accessible book is based on extensive reference material, and bears an endorsement by Richard Dawkins (The Selfish Gene). Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) **A __New York Times__ Notable Book of 2012**In his bold new work, prominent biological theorist Robert Trivers unflinchingly argues that self-deception evolved in the service of deceit—the better to fool others. We do it for biological reasons—in order to help us survive and procreate. From viruses mimicking host behavior to humans misremembering (sometimes intentionally) the details of a quarrel, science has proven that the deceptive one can always outwit the masses. But we undertake this deception at our own peril.