Shankar Vedantam on the Hidden Benefits of Delusion
Course features
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Self-paced & Interactive
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Device Independent
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Certificate of Completion
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Videos
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Knowledge Checks
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60 mins
Course overview
What do Santa Claus, pregame rituals, and optimism have in common? They are all beneficial delusions.
Shankar Vedantam is the host and executive editor of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show and author of the 2010 book of the same title. His new book, co-written with Bill Mesler, is Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Deceiving Brain. It poses the question, “Is self-deception or delusion always bad?” The short answer, according to the authors, is “No.”
In this course, Vedantam explores his observations on delusion from various perspectives and disciplines, including medicine, psychology, and economics. Self-deception does have benefits—in our relationships, the groups to which we belong, and even to our longevity.
Course ID: ML_HW_003
Shankar Vedantam is the host and executive editor of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show and author of the 2010 book of the same title. His new book, co-written with Bill Mesler, is Useful Delusions: The Power and Paradox of the Deceiving Brain. It poses the question, “Is self-deception or delusion always bad?” The short answer, according to the authors, is “No.”
In this course, Vedantam explores his observations on delusion from various perspectives and disciplines, including medicine, psychology, and economics. Self-deception does have benefits—in our relationships, the groups to which we belong, and even to our longevity.
Course ID: ML_HW_003
Certification included
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, to showcase the skills gained through this course.