Beyond Doubt: Overconfidence and What It Means for Modern Society

Every one of us knows overconfidence intimately, although it is perhaps easiest to spot in others. The uncle who knows everything. The city planners who consistently underestimate timelines and costs. The stranger who lectures you on your subject. In fact, the less we know, the more confident we are. But what if this foolhardy overconfidence has a reason to persist? What if it is a superpower that gives us longer lives, more motivation and, above all, the ability to influence others? From businesspersons to politicians, leaders to newsmakers, we place our trust in people who appear to know what they are doing. What if overconfidence is the secret to their success? Can it lead to disaster? Are we capable of seeing through false confidence in time?

Drawing on research in psychology, political science and evolutionary biology weighing up the evidence and the counterevidence behavioural biologist Vivek Nityananda explores the many dimensions of overconfidence, what it means for modern society and how we can combat it in our everyday lives. An urgent, compelling and entertaining read.