The Future Of Reasoning

Michael from Hey Vsauce begins by questioning where the mind resides, noting that while the brain is the physical organ for memory and judgment, the mind is much more extensive. It includes not just the brain but also the collective knowledge and abilities of people, tools, and technology. He discusses how our species has evolved to rely on each other's expertise, creating a vast, interconnected network. This 'techno sapien' is powered by reason, which has led to advancements in life expectancy and societal cooperation. However, Michael points out that the rapid growth of our creations and their unintended consequences, such as climate change, pose a challenge to our reasoning abilities. He suggests that to address these complex issues, we need to rethink our approach to collaboration and decision-making on a global scale.

The concept of 'hyperobjects' is introduced by the philosopher Timothy Morton, referring to issues so massive and complex that they are difficult to fully comprehend or manage. Michael discusses the potential of climate change to act as a 'great filter' that prevents civilizations from advancing, as it requires a level of global cooperation and sacrifice that may be challenging to achieve. He touches on the need for empathy and the extension of our cognitive abilities beyond our immediate experiences to include the future and distant consequences of our actions. The paragraph also explores the idea that reasoning may not be as effective as we believe in guiding us towards truth and good judgment, given the prevalence of disagreements and biases in human thought.

This paragraph delves into the limitations of human reasoning, using logical puzzles and syllogisms to illustrate how people often reach conclusions based on incomplete or incorrect information. It highlights the tendency for individuals to provide reasons post-hoc for decisions they have already made, rather than using reasoning to arrive at those decisions. The discussion points to the idea that our brains are wired to produce justifications for our beliefs, even when those justifications are not the actual basis for our conclusions. This challenges the notion that reasoning is purely an objective, truth-seeking process.

The paragraph explores the hypothesis that reasoning evolved not primarily for individual decision-making, but as a social tool to help us navigate complex group dynamics. It suggests that our reasoning abilities are used to justify our beliefs to others and to cooperate in achieving shared goals. The text discusses how reasoning allows us to construct arguments that can persuade others, even if the reasons given are not the true motivations behind our beliefs. It also touches on cognitive biases like confirmation bias, which may have evolved to simplify social interactions by reducing the cognitive load of constantly re-evaluating our beliefs in light of new evidence.

The concept of 'wisdom of the crowds' is introduced, which posits that a diverse group of people can reach a more accurate conclusion than any single individual. The paragraph discusses how collective deliberation can balance out individual biases and errors, leading to wiser decisions. It contrasts this with the modern trend of individuals forming opinions in isolation, often relying on confirmation bias and selective exposure to information. The text suggests that the internet and technology have made it easier for people to engage in 'lone reasoning' without the benefits of social deliberation, which may undermine the quality of public discourse and decision-making.

The final paragraph proposes potential solutions to the challenges facing reasoning in the modern world. It suggests that returning to small-group deliberations and discussions could enhance our reasoning abilities and lead to more informed decisions. The text also explores the idea of a 'lottocracy,' a form of government where decisions are made by a random sample of citizens, as a way to ensure that reasoning is used in a social context. It argues that involving a diverse range of perspectives in decision-making processes can lead to better outcomes and prepares us for future challenges, emphasizing the importance of collective intelligence over individual reasoning.