# Modern Institutions Rest on a Flawed Picture of Human Reason by David Berreby > “Global 21st-century society depends on an 18th-century worldview. It's an Enlightenment-era model that says the essence of humanity — and our best guide in life — is cool, conscious reason. Though many have noted, here on Edge and elsewhere, that this is a poor account of the mind, the rationalist picture still sustains institutions that, in turn, shape our daily lives.” > **— David Berreby**, *“Post-Rational Economic Man,” Edge Annual Question, 2009* ## Sources and Context - **Original or near-original source:** [“Post-Rational Economic Man,” Edge Annual Question, 2009](https://www.edge.org/response-detail/11652) — Berreby critiques the rationalist model underpinning modern institutions; the essay later discusses behavioral evidence and possible institutional consequences. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/Humans and AIs as Entangled Learning Systems|Humans and AIs as Entangled Learning Systems]] - **Article:** [[articles/Peak Person and the Predicaments of Prediction|Peak Person and the Predicaments of Prediction]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Social Psychology|Social Psychology]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Social Psychology|Social Psychology]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “Global 21st-century society depends on an 18th-century worldview. It's an Enlightenment-era model that says the essence of humanity — and our best guide in life — is cool, conscious reason. Though many have noted, here on Edge and elsewhere, that this is a poor account of the mind, the rationalist picture still sustains institutions that, in turn, shape our daily lives.” — David Berreby, “Post-Rational Economic Man,” Edge Annual Question, 2009 https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-david-berreby-institutions-flawed-human-reason ```