Why We Lie : The Evolutionary Roots of Deception and the Unconscious Mind

by Smith, David Livingstone

• ISBN13: 9780312310394
• ISBN10: 0312310390
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-07-01
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Summary

Why We Lie The Evolutionary Roots of Deception and the Unconscious Mind David Livingstone Smith 'Self-deception is one of the most powerful ideas in psychology and [this book] is an excellent synthesis of this crucial topic. The biology is up-to-date and accurate, the psychological implications are clearly worked out, and the writing is inviting and accessible.' -Steven Pinker, author of The Blank Slate ince our species first evolved, lying and deceit have been an integral part of our social existence. Now, for the first time, philosopher and evolutionary psychologist David Livingstone Smith elucidates the essential role that deception and self-deception have played in human evolution and shows that the very structure of our minds has been shaped by the need to deceive. Readers of Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker will find this a fascinating book, which declares that our extraordinary ability to deceive others, and even deceive our own selves 'lies' at the heart of our humanity. 'Written with snap, panache, and the sort of insights that stop you in your tracks.' -Howard Bloom, author of Global Brain 'David Smith has pulled off a beaut. Why We Lie is a wonderfully blended cluster of arguments to support the painful truth that we are a species whose skill at deceiving others is matched only by our ability to deceive ourselves.' -Arthur S. Reber, author of The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology DAVID LIVINGSTONE SMITH is currently professor of philosophy and co-founder and director of the Institute for Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Psychology at the University of New England. He lives in Scarborough, Maine. Science 0-312-31039-0 $24.95 $36.95 Canadian 51/2" x 81/4" / 256 pages July

Author Biography

David Livingstone Smith is currently a professor of philosophy and co-founder and director of the Institute for Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Psychology at the University of New England.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Preface	p. 1
Natural-Born Liars	p. 9
Manipulators and Mind Readers	p. 29
The Evolution of Machiavelli	p. 50
The Architecture of the Machiavellian Mind	p. 79
Social Poker	p. 104
Hot Gossip	p. 122
Machiavelli on the Couch	p. 148
Conspiratorial Whispers and Covert Operations	p. 168
Coda: Descartes's Demon	p. 195
Unconscious Creativity	p. 199
Psychological Biases and Defense Mechanisms	p. 203
Notes	p. 207
Index	p. 233
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