Evidence for the Interactionist Theory of Reasoning

A talk by Hugo Mercier

Oplysninger om arrangementet

Tidspunkt

Torsdag 2. maj 2019,  kl. 12:00 - 13:00

Sted

1341/315

Hugo Mercier
Hugo Mercier Foto: CNRS

ABSTRACT

The interactionist theory of reasoning suggests that the main function of human reasoning is to exchange reasons in social contexts: to justify our actions, argue for our point of view, and evaluate the reasons offered by others. Support for this theory comes in part from review work in several domains of psychology. Here I focus on experimental evidence supporting the theory's predictions: 1) argumentative competence is universal and early developing; 2) the improvement of performance in group discussion stems from sound argumentative competence; 3) there is an asymmetry in the way people evaluate their own and other people's arguments.The interactionist theory of reasoning suggests that the main function of human reasoning is to exchange reasons in social contexts: to justify our actions, argue for our point of view, and evaluate the reasons offered by others. Support for this theory comes in part from review work in several domains of psychology. Here I focus on experimental evidence supporting the theory's predictions: 1) argumentative competence is universal and early developing; 2) the improvement of performance in group discussion stems from sound argumentative competence; 3) there is an asymmetry in the way people evaluate their own and other people's arguments.

BIO

Hugo Mercier is an evolutionary and cognitive psychologist at the CNRS (Institut Jean Nicod, Paris) doing research on reasoning and epistemic vigilance. His work is relevant for understanding fundamental political phenomena such as persuasion, motivated reasoning and false beliefs. He has published with Harvard University Press, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, and Trends in Cognitive Sciences among numerous other prestigious outlets. His book with Dan Sperber “The enigma of reason” was very well received both in the scientific community and in popular media. You can visit his website for more detail: https://sites.google.com/site/hugomercier/