Columnist David Brooks reviewed the scientific literature and concluded that “the human mind is an overconfidence machine.” As our videos indicate, the overconfidence bias often disrupts ethical thinking. Not one of us is immune from the impact of this bias.
Consider the fact that Ethics Unwrapped creator Cara Biasucci and Ethics Unwrapped faculty director Robert Prentice recently published BEHAVIORAL ETHICS IN PRACTICE: WHY WE SOMETIMES MAKE THE WRONG DECISIONS (Routledge 2021).
Although an objective observer might disagree, author Biasucci, when asked to describe the book, said simply: “Likely the greatest advance in moral education since Kant died.” Prentice quickly agreed, adding: “Maybe since Aristotle.”
You can examine the corrosive impact of the overconfidence bias on human judgment by purchasing the book and judging for yourself. We here at Ethics Unwrapped could recommend it.
Sources
David Brooks, The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of love, Character and Achievement (2011).
Cara Biasucci & Robert Prentice, BEHAVIORAL ETHICS IN PRACTICE: WHY WE SOMETIMES MAKE THE WRONG DECISIONS (Routledge 2021).
Hardback ISBN: 978-0-367-34163-3
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-367-34165-7
E-book ISBN: 978-0-429-32424-6
Videos
Overconfidence Bias: https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/video/overconfidence-bias