Although much human action serves as proof that irrational behavior is remarkably common,
certain forms of irrationality--most notably, incontinent action and self-deception--pose such
difficult theoretical problems that philosophers have rejected them as logically or
psychologically impossible. Here, Mele shows that, and how, incontinent action and self-
deception are indeed possible. Drawing upon recent experimental work in the psychology of
action and inference, he advances naturalized explanations of akratic action and self …

This iconoclastic book demonstrates that irrationality exists on a startling and hitherto
unsuspected scale, analysing its causes in detail by drawing on many fascinating
psychological experiments. Its theme is illustrated by descriptions of scores of irrational
decisions taken by soi-disant experts such as generals, doctors and civil servants: their
errors demonstrate the high cost of irrationality to society.

The paper presents a model of 'rational irrationality'to explain why political and religious
beliefs are marked not only by low information (as the notion of rational ignorance
highlights), but also by systematic bias and high certainty. Being irrational–ie, deviating from
rational expectations–is modeled as normal good. The reason that irrationality in politics and
religion is so pronounced is that the private repercussions of error are virtually nonexistant.
The consumption of irrationality can be efficient, but it will usually not be when the private …