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Modern WisdomThe Hidden Motives in Everyday Life | Robin Hanson
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Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- November 12, 2018
- Duration
- 1h 15m
- Channel
- Modern Wisdom
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Robin Hanson is associate professor of economics at George Mason University, author, and research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. Our decisions may feel like our own choice, but how much do our primitive brains play a part in determining the hidden motives of our everyday actions? Quite a lot according to Professor Hanson. This is a fantastic introduction to evolutionary psychology as we uncover the hidden motives behind gossip, laughter, charity, cheating, social norms, body language and an awful lot more. Resources: Elephant In The Brain The Book: http://amzn.eu/d/eOMBylr Robin's Blog: http://www.overcomingbias.com/ Robin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinhanson - Listen to all episodes online. Search "Modern Wisdom" on any Podcast App or click here: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/modern-wisdom/id1347973549 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0XrOqvxlqQI6bmdYHuIVnr?si=iUpczE97SJqe1kNdYBipnw Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/modern-wisdom - I want to hear from you!! Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Email: modernwisdompodcast@gmail.com
SPEAKERS
Chris Williamson
hostRobin Hanson
guestNarrator
other
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Chris Williamson and Robin Hanson, The Hidden Motives in Everyday Life | Robin Hanson explores Revealing the Selfish Ape: Robin Hanson on Hidden Human Motives Robin Hanson discusses ideas from *The Elephant in the Brain*, arguing that much of human behavior is driven by selfish, competitive motives we prefer not to acknowledge. He explains how evolution shaped us to care about status, coalition-building, and signaling, while hiding these drivers behind socially acceptable stories. The conversation covers social norms, gossip, body language, laughter, consumer behavior, charity, education, and intellectual life as arenas where hidden motives dominate. Hanson contends that understanding these motives clarifies why institutions often underperform and why many reform efforts fail, even if this insight is not a self-help recipe for becoming more virtuous.
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