Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills

By: Steven Novella, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Steven Novella

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

No skill is more important in today's world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in an effective and responsible way. What's more, at no point in human history have we had access to so much information, with such relative ease, as we do in the 21st century. But because misinformation out there has increased as well, critical thinking is more important than ever.

These 24 rewarding lectures equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need to become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life. By immersing yourself in the science of cognitive biases and critical thinking, and by learning how to think about thinking (a practice known as metacognition), you'll gain concrete lessons for doing so more critically, more intelligently, and more successfully.

The key to successful critical thinking lies in understanding the neuroscience behind how our thinking works - and goes wrong; avoiding common pitfalls and errors in thinking, such as logical fallacies and biases; and knowing how to distinguish good science from pseudoscience. Professor Novella tackles these issues and more, exploring how the (often unfamiliar) ways in which our brains are hardwired can distract and prevent us from getting to the truth of a particular matter.

Along the way, he provides you with a critical toolbox that you can use to better assess the quality of information. Even though the world is becoming more and more saturated information, you can take the initiative and become better prepared to make sense of it all with this intriguing course.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Great Guidance

It's worth listening to. I get the impression that the lecturer wouldn't be the easiest person to get along with at a party. Not that the litmus test for a good lecture should be "Would I like to be friends with this guy?" But, we wouldn't be friends.

That aside, his points are valid and instructive. I may review this lecture again sometime in the future.

We all need to hold these ideas in mind

There is a real dearth of this perspective in our society today, and maybe there always had been. The point: "we are all biased in many ways, and must continually be aware of how our biases effect our version of reality". Good stuff and makes me hungry for more.

Wonderful review of the ways we can fool ourselves

A must for anyone interested in skepticism, pseudoscience, or just the ways in which our brains can and do fool ourselves every day.

Well done.

Anyone will benefit from the lessons learned within these courses. It is a skill that is greatly lacking in our society.

well worth the time

as a scientist I should be an expert at the topic covered in this course. however I found the material very beneficial and it now has me thinking more critically about my work as I continue to seek out truth in my work and life.

Time Well Spent

Some of the best information came in the first five chapters. Keep a note book and pen handy. I guarantee you will want to use them.

time well spent

I enjoyed the lectures, easy to follow, understand ill listen to the lectures again. As far as what I knew and thought I knew, these lectures corrected, confirmed and added to my knowledge. will have to find more material on the subject.

Let there be light!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I listened to the audiobook awhile ago, so the material isn't fresh in my mind, but I will try my best to review it. I definitely would recommend this to my friends, and any other member of the human race, specifically. Some of the key terms have faded from memory, but the good news is, the modes of thinking have largely stayed with me. If I wasn't skeptical and reasonable before, these lectures have undoubtedly sharpened these faculties to the point where it's developed into more of a science, as opposed to what previously felt like guesswork. These broad stroke lectures are applicable to anyone who values truth. They offer the equipment necessary to navigate in a world often shrouded by smoke screens.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills?

The most memorable moment for me was when the professor explains what's called the availability heuristic. I've always thought of this phenomenon but never knew quite how to conceptualize it. He often illuminates phenomena that are right under our noses, but that our brains seem to innately struggle with. He's essentially teaching us how to process information through a sieve. Very useful if you like your information without pulp.

What does Professor Steven Novella bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has great passion, and it shines through every lecture. That's all I've ever required from a teacher.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was practically moved to tears when I was listening to this audiobook while cutting onions.

Excellent!!! Should be required for any diploma

What made the experience of listening to Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills the most enjoyable?

Dr. Novella encourages the listener sort through his/her own ideas and the ideas of other people by various rational methods to uncover inconsistencies and ideas unsupported by evidence. It is like spring cleaning for the mind.

Any additional comments?

I will listen to this many times in order to integrate these methodologies into my life.

informative lectures.

thorough explanations. these were nice to listen to on the way to work. I definitely learned something