The Human Mind

An extraordinary book that absolutely delivers on its sweeping ambitions. Every chapter here - on topics ranging from Freud to the mysteries of consciousness, from intergroup conflict to the meaning of life - feels like having the mind’s complexities untangled by a witty, eloquent and deeply knowledgeable friendEssential reading for anyone who has wondered why people do, feel, and think what they do. Paul Bloom is that rarest of experts - able to tell a story, make it practical, and yet faithfully capture the complexity and nuance of the latest research – ANGELA DUCKWORTH, author of GritThis book is a gem. Insightful, accessible, witty and provocative in the best sense, it presents state-of-the art science and its controversies in an even-handed manner. A wonderful book, whether for a newcomer or a specialist who has studied one tree so long that the forest has been forgotten – ROBERT SAPOLSKY, author of BehaveI don’t remember the last time I was this excited about a psychology-related book. The Human Mind is everything a reader wants. Enlightening, thoroughly researched, and witty too. Paul Bloom knows his stuff and has a way of sharing that will delight you. I wish psychology was always taught in this way – SOPHIE MORT (aka Dr Soph), author of A Manual For Being HumanPaul Bloom can always be counted on to take your confident assumptions about humanity and turn them upside down – SUSAN CAIN, author of QuietReally wonderful, hugely readable – DERREN BROWN (on Twitter)Explains the deep and lasting insights from the science of the mind … such a pleasure to read – STEVEN PINKER, author of Enlightenment NowBloom asks the big, thought-provoking questions, and his passion and enthusiasm for his line of work are evident on every page … [The Human Mind] is a success at giving readers a taste of their own minds … Readers will learn a lot about themselves * Washington Examiner *A perfect testament to why understanding the puzzles of the mind can be so damn fun – LAURIE SANTOS, host of The Happiness Lab podcastPerhaps the wittiest, most captivating overview of the field of psychology to date – JENNIFER SENIOR, author of All Joy and No Fun

Paul Bloom is Professor of Psychology at University of Toronto and the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University. His research explores the psychology of morality, identity and pleasure. Bloom is the recipient of multiple awards and honours, including most recently the million-dollar Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. He has written for scientific journals such as Nature and Science, and for the New York Times, New Yorker, Atlantic and Guardian. He is the author or editor of eight books, including Just Babies, How Pleasure Works, Descartes’ Baby, Against Empathy and most recently The Sweet Spot.