Why You Need to Learn about Trivers' Theory of Self-Deception
richardhanania.com · 217 words · saved by 1 readers
Grifting and true belief can be complementary, not opposed to one another
Robert Trivers just passed away. This gives me an excuse to discuss his big idea that has provided one of the most fundamental frameworks for how I understand politics and social life. Trivers’ theory has had both major and subtle impacts on my thinking on a wide range of phenomena. Basically, nearly every view I hold depends to some extent on Trivers being somewhere in the background. If you spend time on social media, you will see that it is very common for people to accuse their political opponents of lying. Especially when the target is smart, you’ll often hear criticisms along the…
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