Two of the most interesting figures in
decision theory have been in the news recently. Daniel
Kahneman for winning the economics Nobel Prize, and Daniel
Ellsberg for releasing his memoirs recounting (mostly) his exploits during
the Vietnam war. Ellsberg’s memoirs sound both fascinating and pompous, but it’s
hard to tell from the review which of these is the dominant feature, and that
would seem to be important in determining whether it’s worth reading. The
Kahneman interview includes this choice quote (first drawn to my attention by
Alyssa Ney)

I have a clear
memory of a party in Jerusalem around 1971, attended by a famous American
philosopher. Someone introduced us and suggested that I had an interesting
story to tell him about our research. He listened to me for about 30 seconds,
then cut me off abruptly, saying, “I am not really interested in the psychology
of stupidity.”

Who could the famous American philosopher
be?

Two of the most interesting figures in
decision theory have been in the news recently. Daniel
Kahneman for winning the economics Nobel Prize, and Daniel
Ellsberg for releasing his memoirs recounting (mostly) his exploits during
the Vietnam war. Ellsberg’s memoirs sound both fascinating and pompous, but it’s
hard to tell from the review which of these is the dominant feature, and that
would seem to be important in determining whether it’s worth reading. The
Kahneman interview includes this choice quote (first drawn to my attention by
Alyssa Ney)

I have a clear
memory of a party in Jerusalem around 1971, attended by a famous American
philosopher. Someone introduced us and suggested that I had an interesting
story to tell him about our research. He listened to me for about 30 seconds,
then cut me off abruptly, saying, “I am not really interested in the psychology
of stupidity.”

Who could the famous American philosopher
be?