Neuroscience and Critical Thinking: Understand the Hidden Pathways of Your Thought Patterns- Improve Your Memory, Make Rational Decisions, Tune Down Emotional Reactions, and Set Realistic Expectations

By: Albert Rutherford

Narrated by: Russell Newton

Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Improve your critical, logical, observational, and rational thinking skills with the timeless principles presented in this book.

©2019 Albert Rutherford (P)2019 Albert Rutherford

It was ok

Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I was rather disappointed by this book, although there were interesting parts. I was expecting more of a step-by-step guide to improve memory and make more rational decisions, but it was nothing like that. Maybe a more detailed description of the book would be helpful -- right now the Publisher's Summary is just one line.

The book has a brief overview of different parts of the brain and how they contribute to decision making. I did enjoy the descriptions of logical fallacies (straw man, Post hoc ergo propter hoc, etc.) -- I've heard of these, but didn't really know what they were, so the clear definition of these was useful. In general a frustratingly large number of the examples given throughout the book were about cults or conspiracy theorists. I suppose these demonstrate the principles clearly because they are so extreme, but they are also less meaningful or applicable because of this extremeness. I would have appreciated more concrete or practical examples, or examples where the "correct" decision was not obvious and more nuanced.

The narrator was fine, although it's hard to judge a narrator without dialogue. The narration was slow, but that's not really a problem since Audible makes it so easy to speed it up.

In the end, I thought it was interesting enough to spend the time listening to, but probably not worth $6.95, which it is currently listed at. Maybe $3. Maybe I'm just cheap.

Not sure to whom this book is adressed

Let's talk about the "story" first.
In the first few chapters, the author describes biases and common ways in which our brain is being deceived. As you might expect from a 2-hour audiobook these descriptions are not detailed, the author does not dive deep into the problem. I am not sure if this is good or bad, again, I have no idea to whom the book is addressed. If you read about the topic previously you can skip this audiobook entirely, otherwise, it might be a good introduction.
A multitude of other topics is touched, such us: MLMs, scams, conspiracy theories, but they are described in a very short way that feels like common knowledge.

The second part, the narration.
The voice itself is decent, nothing bad about it. However, had I not listened to the audiobook at 2x speed I would not be able to finish it. The narrator is extremely sloooooooooooooooooooow.

To sum up, I see no way in which the reader could benefit from listening to this audiobook. There are better alternatives that have more content. The premise that you will "Understand the Hidden Pathways of Your Thought Patterns- Improve Your Memory, Make Rational Decisions, Tune Down Emotional Reactions, and Set Realistic Expectations" is just gibberish that has no foundation in the actual content of the book.

Awesome

The chapters are as follows:
1) Neuroscience of belief and perception
2) Memory and error
3) On reality
4) Arguments and logical fallacies
5) Marketing, media and other mindgames
6) Conspiracy theories demystified

This is overall a great succinct, informative and science-based book. I had to recently return a book about "changing the habit of being yourself" because the blurb falsely advertised it as being about neuroscience, when in fact it was full of tapping into the consciousness of the universe and raising your frequency crap. "Neuroscience and Critical Thinking", on the other hand, is the real deal. It starts with how the human brain processes and stores information, which informs how biased our perception of past and present reality is. The later chapters on logical fallacies, marketing and conspiracy theories were the most interesting to me as I try to convey a little of that to my university physics students whenever the opportunity arises. If only critical thinking skills were a required class starting in middle school we would not have to deal with today's obscurantism as evidenced by flat earthers, alien cover-up "theorists", climate change deniers etc. This little book will teach you how biased your brain is, and what to do about it now that you know that.
Note: I was given this book in exchange for a review.

Nice introduction

A good overview, while using relatable examples, without going too far in depth. This book provided me with more information about critical thinking. It also intrigued me enough to add three more books on this topic to my library.

Easy and short

Note: I received this book for free.

This was quite a short listen and very basic intro to the subject but it was easy to follow and very simple to understand. Despite all of this I would give it 3,5 stars and recommend it only to people who want a very basic introductory level book on the subject.

Informative

The first half of the book is very informative and the last half is practical. I really enjoy learning about how our brains work and why. I recommend it for anyone that deals with people.

Strong, deep book

Alittle over my head, but hey, I bought it and can listen to it again and again till I get more out of it. All "Meat and potatoes " written, no fluff, ever sentence and paragraph packed with info. Just long enough to avoid listener fatigue. most of the other nonfiction on here is just repetitious rambling. Avoid all books that the author has to spend 15 minutes telling you how great he or she is. Avoid books written by people from Harvard, no real life experience for generations.

How to pretend like you think critically

First, list out fallacies that most people are aware of, without much context.
Second, put those fallacies on full display, but claim you are using reason and logic.
Third, sell your book for a few dollars, and by the time listeners see the book for what it is, you already have their money.

Yes, I knew the author was left wing before purchasing the book just based on the sample. However, it was cheap and short, and I like hearing multiple perspectives on this topic. Unfortunately, the author does not. The only examples of rationalization and conspiracy theories given were those "right wingers". Sure, some right wingers are guilty of this, but if you seriously can't come up with one example on the other side, then you are clearly not objective.

Facepalm

It's amazingly baffling how much this author teaching about fallacies and biases is saturatively dripping in them as they speak of them.

Critical thinking for dummies

subtitle of this book should be, critical thinking 101. far too basic and rudimentary than the title suggests, especially if you're already even a rudimentary critical thinker.

if Audible wants less returns they need a feature to skim through a book before you buy. the short pre selected intros are not always accurately representative.

seems like it would be a good book for uni

good overview of basic fallacies and and the structure of critical thinking

I imagine it's useful for people learning to debate or frame their own ideas usually around the time they go off to college

Broad introduction to critical thinking.

Disclaimer: this book was received free of charge in exchange for a review.

Whilst a relatively short book, the author manages to introduce a range of ideas within neuroscience and critical thinking. This book is ideal for readers interested in the topic but don't have a starting point.

short but packed full of useful information

I loved this book, it gets straight to the point and guess full pace in covering useful techniques to maximize your ability at critical thinking.
It also has an excellent section on conspiracy theories that puts into clear concise critically thought it arguements that crush the problems that these theories have!