The Folly Of Fools Paperback – January 7, 2014

I read this book after reading a note by Michael Shermer in his "The Believing Brain." In fact both books go very well together."The folly of fools" is a book about deception and self-deception and just the first topics the author examines give you in advance an idea on what the whole book is about: "The illusion of control," "The construction of biased social theory," "False personal narratives," and so on. "Self-deception," the author says, "is older than language" so we can expect a lot of information on the topic of evolution. To do that, Trivers begins with our remote origins as monkeys appropriately compared and illustrated with several examples taken from other species (birds, fishes, insects and so on) that set the stage for understanding that the trait is not only about humans but also about living beings ("Deception is everywhere")."Self-deception," says, "occurs when the conscious mind is kept in the dark." Easy and simple: there is a mechanism that govern our acts in order to gain partial or short term advantages but always with some cost. As long as we live in a social context, we are always struggling between deceptions, those that we tell to ourselves, those that we tell others, those that others tell to us and so on and on.It is so important and transcendent the functioning of this mechanism, that far from being a tool for immediate action in the personal (and daily) interaction it is present at any level of the society as a whole. As a consequence, deception is present in the full social spectrum, from warfare to national identity and from religion to politics and economics. There is neither activity nor place where this engine is not working and making mischief.Is it an evolving trait? Is it possible to do something about it? You can find the answers at the beginning and at the end of the book. At the beginning, Trivers tells us that "The time is ripe for a general theory of deceit and self-deception based on evolutionary logic," and at the end he asks about the convenience of fighting "one's own self deception."In sum, this is a complete and comprehensive outlook on the topic. To me at least. Several reviews have downgraded the merits of the book so that to convey my own vision without the influence of other readers I put my impression directly --I read "The Folly" and then I wrote this.Having said that, "The Folly of Fools" is a highly recommended reading. Well written, interesting and full of anecdotes and clever observations by the author, who, by the way, is not free from asking God, when he travels, to join him as the flight lands.

After seeing favorable review in the journals Science and Nature, I bought this for my Kindle, and have been quoting from it to my friends and family ever since. Unrelentingly cynical, it is the most enlightening book I've read that I can remember. Don't listen to the nit-picking comments here about the perceived failures, look at the reviews in the leading journals by scientists in the field, who are unusually laudatory.Trivers, an internationally acclaimed scholar with a track record of charting new fields, reviews deceit and self-deceit from a game-theory point of view - how interactions can be thought of to work, the evolutionary forces they might create, and ties to many branches of science and social science. He sprinkles numerous vivid examples into the discourse, and generally makes many sound arguments.His cynical and liberal opinions come clearly through - I consider them sensible, but I note a large fraction of the negative reviews find them annoying. He paints with a broad brush - more of the negative reviewers had wished for more meticulous and generous citation of each field, and recommend more pedestrian books instead. Many no doubt took offense at the bashing of US foreign policy, psychology, sociology and many other topics, professions, and dearly-held beliefs.Very, very interesting and thought provoking - a bold survey of an important and pervasive facet of humanity.

I bought the book because I caught, by chance, an interview with the author. It is well written and really touches on a lot of topics that I had figured were off limits in the publishing field. But it does point out how people tend to deceive themselves as much as being deceived and why. It is rich in presentation and not some bland technical tome. I have so many book markers in place, it is almost like I will have to read the whole book when I go back and do so. I will keep it handy as a constant reminder of how easy it is to blind yourself from the truth at all levels.BTW, this is my first review of a book since I am new to this forum.

It is valuable to highlight deception and self-deception as phenomena. The author gives a number of examples -- but no deeper understanding. That is reflected in the last chapter "Fighting Self-Deception in Our Own Lives" where the author states that "I do not believe in building one’s life, one’s relationships, or one’s society on lies." Yet, he also states that deception has been an evolutionary advantage and that has been built into our genes. This contradiction would require some philosophical analysis. Such an analysis is, however, lacking. The author is a biologist, not a psychologist, although the subject is mainly a psychological phenomenon. To me, biology is stronger on description and weaker on theory. That is also true of my perception of the book.

Yes, the book is rambling, and he does soapbox a bit at the end. Still, self-deception is a slippery subject and the science of it, is pretty murky. So, that said, Trivers' somewhat disjointed book, does a good job of introducing a vast and protean subject. I especially like his candor.I probably would not have given it such a high rating, but felt the bad reviews unfair, so...I also read 'Mistakes Were Made' which was more structured, and good, but also had judgmental quality that is the basis of us/them psychology, where self-deceit and self-interest hold hands.Good, rambling, job, Trivers.

Titel

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read.

"The Folly of Fools" is a modern version of the Renaissance work by Erasmus of Rotterdam, "In Praise of Folly". However, instead of re-examining Christian values, Robert Trivers goes to the very cell of the living creatures (humans, animals, insects, plants, viruses, and bacteria). Like, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Robert Trivers tries to rationalize the existence of deceit and self-deception in human life. The theory of "The Folly of Fools" is that we deceive ourselves the better to deceive others. And this strategy, according to the author, is based on our natural instincts, such as self-preservation and reproductive success...What I really liked about the book is its often very intimate and frank tone. As a true scientist, the author is dedicated to minimize if not eliminate falsehood as much as possible, but many questions remain. For example, why should we do anything about deception if, although often dangerous, it's just "natural"? I am particularly interested in finding out true motivations of humanitarian missions and self-sacrifice in relation to self-deception and deception. Are people helping/saving others to merely reassure their dominant position in relation to the victims of crimes or is there something else to it? While the motivation of victim's acceptance and even embracing of torture is understandable as a self-preservation mechanism to minimize the conflict, according to Robert Trivers, the motivations of humanitarian missions and self-sacrifice are not as clear cut..."The Folly of Fools" is a book of many great ideas in need of being researched further. And most of all, the book will serve you as an inspiration to rediscover yourself in a whole new way. It was a pleasure to read.

A recommend this reading to anyone who's still at loss with human nature. The author's style is clear and rich, his demonstration impeccable and implacable !

進化論というのは、ネオダーウィニストがどう高圧的に言おうが、検証不可能な疑似科学だ。もちろん進化は厳然たる事実。しかし「進化論」はそうではない。これと、これまた胡散臭さ満点の社会学を組み合わせて、ハッタリ以上のものになるのか。私たちは「西洋の没落」以来、妙に説得力はあるが真実のかけらもないこのようなエセ論文にあまりにもたびたび騙されてきたこれがその列に一つ加わる。（社会進化論が荒唐無稽なインチキであることはJacques Bouveresse,Jerry Fodorあたりを参考にされたい）。進化論が偽物であるという事は反発を感じる人もあろうが、次のことは否定できないと思う。すなわち、原生動物からウニやホヤへの進化と、ここ百年の文明の流れを同じシステムとして語るとしたら、それはインチキであるか、壮大な比喩か、いずれにしかならないだろう。（汚い言葉を使って申し訳ないが）ばかじゃねえの、同じであるはずないだろ？それよりも、一つ愕然としたことがある。著者は日本はWW2において広汎にSex slaveを強制徴収し恥知らずにもそのことから目をそむけているとさらっと書く。それを訴える韓国人の勇気をたたえさえする。現在進行形のことについて、ここまで勉強不足をさらして、この人に学問に対する敬意のかけらでもあるのか、と疑う。十中八九、ソースはウィキペディアなんだろう。この些少事で大部の本全体が否定されることに疑問を感じる人があるかもしれないが、これが明らかにするのは、事実を調べる気のない怠慢さと、捏造を捏造と見抜けないリテラシーの低さ、そしてこれほどセンシティブなことへ勝手に裁断を下す傲慢さである。なぜ人は嘘をつくのか、それ以前に、なぜこうも安っぽいプロパガンダに乗るのか、その諸例の研究に著者自身こそがふさわしい。すなわち、何も見ず何も考えない人間が、公平客観的なつもりで正義の味方面をしたいとき、韓国の言い分を易々と信じることになる。そこにあるのは愚劣な功名心だけだ。奇妙なことだが、自分を見ることのできない人間は殊に人文系の場合、まともな研究なんぞできるわけがない。著者に対しては最大限の侮蔑しか感じない。