Mental Immunity

Biology, Physics, Chemistry. 23/09/10

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This conversation is with Dr. Andy Norman of Carnegie Mellon University―also the author of the recently published book "Mental Immunity". Here we discuss, his vision for improving the cognitive immunology of every human being, how science and evidence-based reasoning relate to faith and religion, and what practical steps individuals can take to boost their mental immune systems.

About the guest

  • 00:00 Introduction

  • 01:00 A philosopher's interest in immunity

  • 02:45 Can there be a global reasoning?

  • 05:17 Why belief is not part of the reasoning?

  • 07:41 What are beliefs?

  • 10:34 What is confirmation bias?

  • 12:20 Motivated reasoning?

  • 14:43 Wilful unreason and wilful belief?

  • 18:06 Importance of scientific method for reasoning

  • 21:07 Debate between Bil Nye and Ken Ham

  • 27:27 Reasoning and morality

  • 28:37 Why religion is successful?

  • 33:02 Does religion really gives happiness?

  • 36:38 What is collaborative inquiry?

  • 39:17 Bond together for reasoning

  • 40:09 Ancestors of humans as critical thinkers

  • 44:18 What are mind parasites?

  • 47:03 What is mental immune systems?

  • 48:37 How does bad ideas invade the immune system?

  • 51:05 Properties of ideas. what are bad ideas?

  • 53:30 Timeless impact of reasoning

  • 58:12 Morality without brains

  • 59:20 Mental vaccine for the immunity

  • 1:02:29 What does scientific method lack in reasoning?

  • 1:05:24 What gives you comfort?

  • 1:06:42 Future of science and reasoning

  • 1:09:00 More to read

  • 1:10:13 Thank you!

Timestamps