The Evolutionary Basis of Self-Deception
نویسنده
چکیده
Despite its widespread occurrence, self-deception is classified as a form of psychopathology. Because self-deception regularly generates false beliefs, this figures prominently among the motivations for designating self-deception as a form of pathology or malfunction. I argue that this is a poor reason to classify self-deception as a form of psychopathology. From an evolutionary, Darwinian point of view, we are not justified in concluding that self-deception is pathological. In particular, we are not justified in concluding that the cognitive processes of self-deceivers are malfunctioning. Despite a long philosophical tradition to the contrary, I conclude that self-deception may be indicative of a normally functioning, evolved human mind.
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