Critical Thinking: How to Effectively Reason, Understand Irrationality, and Make Better Decisions

by Stuart A. Vyse

Stuart Vyse, PhD, is the author of Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition, which received the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association. A celebrated psychologist and professor as well as a recognized author, he is the perfect guide for this audio series on the power of superstition.

This wide-ranging course reveals the method to our madness in everything from finances to Friday the 13th. An expert on irrational behavior, Prof. Vyse discusses what it means to be rational before delving into the many reasoning errors and psychological challenges that lead us astray.

In 15 lectures, you will learn to identify the logical fallacies and quirks of our psychology that tempt us to make unwise decisions. While the course is based in theory, it’s also teeming with practical advice.

You’ll examine several popular conspiracy theories before exploring the remarkable staying power of common “bad luck” superstitions: How did these superstitions come to be? Is it always bad to be irrational? At what point do our beliefs veer into the territory of wishful thinking or willful ignorance?

Packed with fun examples and everyday pointers, this course leaves you thinking long and hard about how you think. With Prof. Vyse’s guidance, you’ll learn to better understand your beliefs and make better decisions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Stuart Vyse is a behavioral scientist, teacher, and writer. He writes the monthly “Behavior & Belief” column for Skeptical Inquirer and personal essays in a variety of places—lately for the Observer, Medium, The Atlantic, The Good Men Project, and Tablet. He also blogs very sporadically for Psychology Today.

Vyse's book Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition won the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association and has been or will be translated into four languages. His book Going Broke: Why Americans Can’t Hold On To Their Money is an analysis of the current epidemic of personal debt and has been translated into Chinese.

As an expert on irrational behavior, Vyse has been quoted in many news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and have appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN International, the PBS NewsHour, and NPR”s Science Friday.

Vyse holds a PhD in psychology and BA and MA degrees in English literature and is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. The majority of his teaching career was spent at Connecticut College in New London, CT, where I was the Joanne Toor ’50 Professor of Psychology. His academic interests are in decision making, behavioral economics, philosophy, behavior analysis, and belief in the paranormal.

Reviews

[Alejandro González · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creo que se la paso dando ejemplos de como la gente es ilógica y porqué pero realmente nunca razono efectivamente ni entendió nada

[Daniel Currie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't what I was thinking, which may be my fault, but I was expecting a professional audiobook (this is a series of lectures) and I was sort of thinking this would help me understand irrationality and how to deal with it (which it really does not). This is much more aimed at the 'what' rather than the 'how' or 'why'. If you don't know the 'what' then this is the lecture series for you, if you do, well... it isn't too long.

[Kim]

The part about superstition takes up too much time, otherwise good overview of common biases. It is basically a summary, so to everyone interested in more details I recommend thinking fast and slow

[Andrey Korniychuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to it several times at work.

Great messages.
The presenter, or reader, was sometimes hard to listen to. I'm not even sure why.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(audiobook)
It nicely and simplistically explains key concepts.
The only problem i had was with presenter, who stuttered and looked like he was not totally ready with his presentation, it could be said it was very natural overall.

[Bárbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó, bastante dinámico, ejemplos fáciles de comprender del día a día, me hizo dar cuenta de que no soy tan tonta como (me) parece.

Resalto la parte de como identificar falacias (excelente) y también me hubiese gustado que se expandiera más en lo que es la etiología, pero lo tomaré como una tarea personal.

Ahora estoy lista para debatir con conspiracionistas que creen que la tierra es plana.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series of lectures by the author. His halting style makes it hard to listen to at times. Much of the early material is covered in more depth in Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking Fast and Slow, which I highly recommend. I thought too much time was spent on superstitions, but apparently they’re the author’s specialty.

[Felix Delong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice introductory book. Goes just into basics, gets kinda boring at the times and it show some of the authors biases (interestingly?)... If you are interested in the topic, go for Thinking: Fast and slow instead.

[Adam Alnafusi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This course is a good way to learn how to think more rationally and avoid irrational beliefs. The author explains the concepts clearly and covers a wide range of topics, from logical fallacies to superstitions.

[Vlad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time
The author goes trhough lectures.. and very practitcal he is gonna explain like if you lose 20 dollar try to be rational and not emotional bevause that’s not rational he trys to long on how to analyse an view or whatsoever

[Panagiotis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about superstition more than anything else. It has a sloppy feeling to it, and the author quite often jumps quickly into conclusions that are far from convincing. Not a terrible read though, although there are better options out there on the subject.

[Mayank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author has great knowledge of phychology but struggles to convey the message. atleast in the audiobook

[Melissa Medley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Great delivery. Learned alot.

[Luigi Benetton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s great to explore the ways in which our reasoning sometimes fails us and ponder ways to prevent such failures.

[Ryan Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A combination of Thinking Fast...and Slow (what's new) and critically thinking....about why conspiracy theories, supernatural occurrences, jinxes and the like are irrational.

[Joshua O'Brien · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some interesting parts, however, it did not grab my attention. Vyse is clearly knowledgeable about belief and superstition, yet I didn't feel like the book even scratched the surface on these topics.

[Hoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It can be better.

[Yevgeny Frolov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good examples that support stated objectives in each chapter.

Expanded and added to my practical understanding of what is critical thinking in action. Examples use scientific research and compete from economics, psychology, biology, traditions.

Valuable for any age.
However more value for those that are 20+ — counting on life experiences.

Very good book for parents as it may impractical and provide positively parenting as well that is not covered in self-help and parenting sections.

[Bhairavy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why he started going into conspiracy theories. Did not help me the way I wamted this book to help me, with strategic/critical thinking.

[Christopher Armani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Well worth the read.

[Stephen Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lecture based, some good info on how people misjudge certain situations, also touches on superstition and the possible benefit vs possible harm

[Betty Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lecture series by a renown researcher and professor of psychology.

Excellent review of the principles of critical thinking and rational decision making. Last chapters deal with superstition.

[Johan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book 'Critical Thinking' by Stuart .A Vyse did not leave a lasting impression on me and was quickly finished without much impact.

I would recommend anyone who enjoyed 'Critical Thinking' to also read 'The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking', which offers more substantial insights into enhancing problem-solving skills and making better decisions.

[Leon Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 audiobook. Heuristics, fallacies, framing, luck, beliefs, probability. Some good content. Although, the quality and presentation of the lecture are low. Furthermore there is too much emphasis on superstition.

[Simon Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject and information is great but I listened to the audiobook which has terrible narration, like a bad lecture by a very nervous educator. Buy the hard copy or ebook version.