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    Why Smart People Think Irrationally

    11 min
    |
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    Feb 17, 2026
    PsychologyPersonal DevelopmentSelf Help

    Explore the fascinating phenomenon of dysrationalia - when intelligent people consistently make irrational decisions - and discover why our brains are wired to win arguments rather than find truth.

    Why Smart People Think Irrationally

    Best quote from Why Smart People Think Irrationally

    “

    Smart people are incredible at building logical-sounding arguments for whatever they already want to believe; it's like having a brilliant lawyer in your head who's always working for the wrong side.

    ”

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

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    Why some people don’t think with logic

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    Knowledge sources
    You Are Not So Smart
    The Art of Thinking Clearly
    Irrationality
    Clear Thinking
    Predictably Irrational
    Rationality

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    Part of a Learning Plan

    Study Econ, Behavioral Science & Psychology

    Study Econ, Behavioral Science & Psychology

    LEARNING PLAN

    Study Econ, Behavioral Science & Psychology

    3 h 3 m•4 Episodes

    Key Takeaways

    1

    When Smart People Think Irrationally

    0:00
    0:12
    0:27
    0:33
    0:45
    0:50
    2

    The Two-Speed Mind: Why We Think Fast and Wrong

    1:06
    1:16
    1:19
    1:34
    0:33
    1:55
    2:02
    2:16
    2:20
    3

    The Emotional Puppet Master

    2:34
    2:39
    2:56
    3:00
    3:15
    3:20
    3:32
    3:36
    3:51
    3:55
    4

    The Confidence Trap

    4:07
    4:15
    4:19
    4:31
    4:37
    4:56
    4:59
    5:14
    5:18
    5:30
    5:36
    5

    When Groups Make Everything Worse

    5:43
    5:49
    6:01
    0:33
    6:19
    6:22
    6:36
    6:43
    6:53
    2:02
    6

    Breaking Free from Mental Autopilot

    7:12
    7:19
    7:27
    7:29
    7:40
    7:42
    7:54
    7:58
    8:09
    8:11
    8:23
    4:59
    8:36
    7

    The Logic Paradox

    8:48
    8:58
    9:07
    9:08
    9:22
    4:59
    9:41
    9:46
    9:56
    2:02
    10:11
    10:16
    8

    The Path Forward

    10:24
    10:34
    10:41
    10:45
    10:54
    4:59
    11:16
    11:22
    11:34

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