psychology-of-belief

Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Civilization and Its Discontents – Sigmund Freud – 1930, W.W. Norton & Company

Freud’s seminal work explores the inherent conflict between individual desire and the constraints of civilization, arguing that societal progress comes at a psychological cost.
It reflects post-WWI disillusionment and offers a pessimistic outlook on societal structures and human happiness.
The book is best suited for those interested in psychology, cultural history, and the philosophical underpinnings of societal norms.

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Archive / Cultural References

Camera Lucida – Roland Barthes – 1980, Hill and Wang

Camera Lucida explores the emotional and philosophical impact of photography, introducing the concepts of the studium and the punctum to explain how photographs affect us on a deeply personal level.
It is a nuanced reflection on the relationship between image, time, and death.

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Archive / Cultural References

Cities of the Plain – Jacques Soustelle – 1969, Alfred A. Knopf

Jacques Soustelle’s *Cities of the Plain* presents a lyrical exploration of Mesopotamian civilizations, focusing on the psychological and symbolic drivers of their rise and fall. The book blends archaeology, mythology, and psychological insight to reveal enduring patterns in the human experience.

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Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Conspiracy – Daniel Pipes – 1997

Conspiracy by Daniel Pipes examines the historical development and psychological underpinnings of conspiracy theories, particularly in the Middle East. It explores the social and political functions of these narratives and their impact on political instability.

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Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Autonomous Technology – Langdon Winner – 1986

Langdon Winner’s work argues that technology is not neutral but inherently political, embedding power structures through its design. It examines how technological systems can reinforce existing social and political arrangements.

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Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – Malcolm Gladwell – 2005, Little, Brown and Company

This work explores the phenomenon of rapid cognition and the internal mechanisms that allow for ‘thin-slicing’ of complex data. It examines both the remarkable strengths and the dangerous limitations of the adaptive unconscious in human decision-making.

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Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Believing What We Don’t: The Psychology of Self-Deception – Michael Shermer – 2008

Michael Shermer’s book provides a psychological exploration of self-deception, examining its cognitive roots and evolutionary benefits.
It bridges evolutionary psychology and cognitive science in understanding belief formation.
The work is suited for general readers and academics interested in the psychology of belief and critical thinking.

Read More Believing What We Don’t: The Psychology of Self-Deception – Michael Shermer – 2008
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Being and Nothingness – Jean-Paul Sartre – 1943

Jean-Paul Sartre’s Being and Nothingness is a foundational work of existentialist philosophy, exploring the nature of consciousness, freedom, and the human condition.
It argues that existence precedes essence and delves into concepts like bad faith, responsibility, and the gaze of the Other.

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Archive / Cultural References

Black Skin, White Masks – Frantz Fanon – 1952, Grove Press (1967 edition)

Fanon’s groundbreaking work examines the psychological consequences of colonialism and racism on Black individuals, focusing on internalized inferiority and the struggle for self-definition. It’s a foundational text in postcolonial studies and critical race theory.

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Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Being Digital – Nicholas Negroponte – 1995, Alfred A. Knopf

Being Digital forecasts the societal transformation brought about by the convergence of computing, communication, and content, analyzing the shift from physical to digital forms. It captures the initial optimism and uncertainties surrounding the early internet era, providing a historical record of a pivotal technological transition.

Read More Being Digital – Nicholas Negroponte – 1995, Alfred A. Knopf