Book Club: ‘Think Again’ by Adam Grant
In his new book, "Think Again," Adam Grant challenges readers to rethink their assumptions and reconsider their beliefs. Drawing on research in psychology and neuroscience, he shows how we often fall prey to biases and cognitive illusions that lead us astray. He also offers strategies for overcoming these biases and making better decisions.
Grant begins by discussing how we form judgments and why we so often get them wrong. He then explores the role of emotions in thinking and decision-making, and how we can use reason to override our feelings. He also looks at the importance of perspective-taking,critical thinking, and open-mindedness. He argues that we need to become "mental athletes" who are constantly challenging our own beliefs and testing our assumptions. only by constantly questioning our beliefs can we hope to arrive at the truth.
The book is full of fascinating examples and stories that illustrate Grant's points. For instance, he discusses a study showing how doctors often fail to properly diagnose conditions when they see patients outside of their usual context (e.g., in the emergency room). He also describes how self-justification can lead people to persist in bad habits, even when they know those habits are harmful. And he tells the story of a woman who overcame her addiction to cigarettes by using a "cost-benefit analysis" to think about the costs and benefits of smoking.
Throughout the book, Grant provides readers with practical tools for improving their thinking. For instance, he gives tips for how to spot cognitive biases, how to question your assumptions, and how to think more critically about information. He also offers advice for how to change your mind when you're faced with new evidence that contradicts your existing beliefs.
All in all, "Think Again" is an insightful and helpful book that will challenge readers to think more deeply about their own beliefs and reconsider their assumptions. If you're looking for a book that will make you question your own thinking, this is it.
