Since the beginning of time, we''ve seen ''thought'' as the product of reason, the work of the mind. We''ve learnt to present our arguments in rational order, and we''ve thought of our opinions as the beautiful result of reason and evidence. But this is only part of the story. A fascinating new body of research shows that almost everything we think - those complex justifications for lower taxes or prison reform, those long-pondered and sincere beliefs in God or Nothing, even the food we like or turn away from in disgust - has its roots in a mind-boggling collection of hidden influences - from our geography to our genes. Packed with surprising case studies and counter-intuitive research, this urgent and entertaining book reveals where our opinions really come from and what they are for.

Autorentext

Turi Munthe

Klappentext

'Fascinating, incredibly valuable and accessible - a compelling view of why we see the world and each other the way we do'
Bobby Duffy, author of The Perils of Perception

Why do our fiercest arguments flare up with the people we love most? Are our views really forged by reason and evidence - or by forces we barely notice? And if the world feels more divided than ever, is that entirely a bad thing?

In Why We Think What We Think, Turi Munthe uncovers the startling origins of our deepest beliefs. Without knowing it, almost all our opinions - whether we believe in God or in ghosts, our views on sex or animal rights or immigration, our basic sense of what's right - are shaped by a mesmerizing web of hidden factors. We are influenced by everything from the quirks of distant history to the geology of where we grew up.

Taking readers on an unforgettable journey around the world and through the DNA of our opinions, this entertaining book reveals among much else:

• how you can tell someone's politics from their taste buds
• why anxiety fuels conspiracy thinking
• how our ancestors' agriculture still affects our ethics

• why climate influences our religious belief

  Packed with surprising stories and counterintuitive insights, Why We Think What We Think will transform the way you see the world and your place within it.