Daniel Kahneman
Nobel laureate for prospect theory and cognitive biases
Most quoted
"A general 'law of least effort' applies to cognitive as well as physical exertion. The law states that if there are several ways of achieving the same goal, people will eventually gravitate to the least demanding course of action."
— from Thinking, Fast and Slow, 2011
"The confidence we experience as we make a judgment is not a reasoned evaluation of the probability that it is right. Confidence is a feeling, which reflects the coherence of the information and the cognitive ease of processing it."
— from Thinking, Fast and Slow, 2011
"The sunk-cost fallacy is the idea that people are reluctant to abandon a strategy or course of action because they have invested heavily in it, even when it is clear that abandonment would be more beneficial."
— from Interview/Lecture
All quotes by Daniel Kahneman (309)
I often wonder how much of what we 'know' is simply a coherent story we tell ourselves, rather than an accurate reflection of reality.
The illusion of understanding is a persistent and dangerous bias.
My greatest fear is not being wrong, but being irrelevant.
The joy of intellectual discovery is a powerful motivator, perhaps the most powerful for me.
I sometimes feel like a detective, trying to uncover the hidden mechanisms of the mind.
The most important lesson I've learned is to be skeptical of my own intuitions.
Amos had a unique ability to see the obvious that everyone else missed.
The process of writing is often a process of clarifying one's own thoughts.
I am constantly surprised by the irrationality of human behavior, even my own.
The Nobel Prize was a wonderful surprise, but the real reward was the work itself.
It's a humbling experience to realize how much of what we do is driven by unconscious processes.
The beauty of science is in its ability to challenge our preconceived notions.
I miss Amos's sharp intellect and his even sharper wit.
The greatest challenge in research is often formulating the right question.
I've always been drawn to problems that seem simple on the surface but reveal deep complexities.
The human mind is a marvel, but it's a flawed marvel.
Collaboration is not just about sharing ideas, it's about challenging each other's assumptions.
The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey, with no final destination.
I often feel like an outsider, observing the world with a critical eye.
The most profound insights often come from unexpected places.
Contemporaries of Daniel Kahneman
Other Psychologys born within 50 years of Daniel Kahneman (1934–2024).