Redbubble - Shop now
Buy used:
$21.00
$3.99 delivery July 14 - 18. Details
Or fastest delivery July 11 - 16. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by Half Price Books Inc
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Rolf Dobelli
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Art of Thinking Clearly Hardcover – May 14, 2013

by Rolf Dobelli (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 7,226 ratings

The Art of Thinking Clearly by world-class thinker and entrepreneur Rolf Dobelli is an eye-opening look at human psychology and reasoning — essential reading for anyone who wants to avoid “cognitive errors” and make better choices in all aspects of their lives.

Have you ever: Invested time in something that, with hindsight, just wasn’t worth it? Or continued doing something you knew was bad for you? These are examples of cognitive biases, simple errors we all make in our day-to-day thinking. But by knowing what they are and how to spot them, we can avoid them and make better decisions.

Simple, clear, and always surprising, this indispensable book will change the way you think and transform your decision-making—work, at home, every day. It reveals, in 99 short chapters, the most common errors of judgment, and how to avoid them.

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper
  4. Publication date
    May 14, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.21 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0062219685
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0062219688
Next slide of product details
Books%20with%20Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Popular Highlights in this book
What are popular highlights?
Previous page
  1. Survivorship bias means this: People systematically overestimate their chances of success. Guard against it by frequently visiting the graves of once-promising projects, investments, and careers. It is a sad walk but one that should clear your mind.
    Highlighted by 4,885 Kindle readers
  2. In daily life, because triumph is made more visible than failure, you systematically overestimate your chances of succeeding.
    Highlighted by 4,811 Kindle readers
  3. Rational decision making requires you to forget about the costs incurred to date. No matter how much you have already invested, only your assessment of the future costs and benefits counts.
    Highlighted by 4,332 Kindle readers
Next page

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Why do we stay in bad relationships or stubbornly hold on to failing investments? Dobelli, author and founder of Zurich.Minds, a community of thinkers, explores the natural tendencies we have to think illogically and how we can overcome them. This is not a facile how-to book but a serious examination of the faulty reasoning that leads to repeated mistakes by individuals, businesses, and nations. Among the logical errors Dobelli explores are survivorship bias, or systematic overestimation of the chances for success, and social proof (otherwise known as herd mentality), or feeling that an action or decision is correct because so many others are doing the same thing. Herd mentality is often demonstrated in the stock market, triggering bubbles and panics alike. Dobelli warns against the influence of so-called experts, news anchors, beautiful people, teams of workers, and others, cautioning readers to learn to think clearly for themselves. He offers some 99 common errors, drawing on social science, psychology, economics, and politics for amusing and sobering examples of the failure to think logically. In this fascinating book, Dobelli does not offer a recipe for happiness but a well-considered treatise on avoiding “self-induced unhappiness.” --Vanessa Bush

Review

“A fireworks show of insights into how our minds work. If you want to avoid tripping on cognitive errors, read this book.” — Iris Bohnet, Professor and Academic Dean, Harvard Kennedy School, Director of the Harvard Decision Science Laboratory

“Dobelli examines our most common decision-making failings with engaging eloquence and describes how to counter them with instructive good sense.” — Robert Cialdini, author of Influence

“…a serious examination of the faulty reasoning that leads to repeated mistakes by individuals, businesses, and nations…In this fascinating book, Dobelli does not offer a recipe for happiness but a well-considered treatise on avoiding ‘self-induced unhappiness.’” — Booklist (starred review)

“…easy-going prose…what [Dobelli] does is pinpoint exactly the assumptions, bias and illusions that shape our thinking and decision-making processes in both business and personal relationships that can cost us dearly as individuals and as a society.” — Financial Times

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 14, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062219685
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062219688
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.21 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 7,226 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Rolf Dobelli

Rolf Dobelli

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

ROLF DOBELLI, born in 1966, is a Swiss novelist, writer and thinker. He received his PhD from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. He is the founder of WORLD.MINDS, an international community of the leading personalities in science, business, geopolitics, and the arts. His books have been translated in 47 languages. Rolf Dobelli lives in Switzerland. He is married to the novelist Clara Maria Bagus. They have two children.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
7,226 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book insightful, with one review noting the author's beautiful explanations of various thinking problems, and appreciate its easy-to-read format with clear examples. The book features short chapters (1-100) and dry humor throughout. While some customers consider it worth the money, others find it disappointing.

Select to learn more

InsightReadabilityEase of readingShort chaptersEntertainment valueValue for money
145 customers mention "Insight"133 positive12 negative

Customers find the book insightful, appreciating its logical thinking improvement topics and interesting concepts that provide perspective on life.

"...of all, this is a guy who continually makes fun of himself and tells many stories about his own "stupidity" -- subtly teaching us he's caught on to..." Read more

"...The value of this book is that the information is in one place. Readability Light --+-- Serious Insights High --+-- Low..." Read more

"...everyone to read this book to enhance thinking and take decisions more rationally, which can lead us to rationality." Read more

"...The chapters are not very long but provide enough understanding of each of the biases, in addition to some examples that one can relate to...." Read more

122 customers mention "Readability"122 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-presented, with one customer noting it's a must-read for everyone.

"...This book is a “must read!” We cannot do enough to protect ourselves from our thinking errors and the author sites 99 such errors...." Read more

"...This book is well worth the read." Read more

"...This is a very good book if you are looking to improve yourself or at least be aware of what you and every other person must struggle with each day..." Read more

"...At the end the book is a good read. But the practical use of such lists is quite limited. It is a database, but not an algorithm." Read more

112 customers mention "Ease of reading"96 positive16 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, appreciating its concise and highly readable format with clear examples.

"...NOT a self help tome, in fact he makes great fun of self helpers, showing them the covariate mirror where they ignored their own genetics and luck..." Read more

"I have read several books on biases and I think this is the most complete one so far. It was a joy to read...." Read more

"Written to be read quickly, whenever and wherever. Short chapters 1-100 that breakdown different ways to process thoughts and have clear outcomes...." Read more

"...The author did a great job in researching, summarizing, and putting all content together...." Read more

26 customers mention "Short chapters"19 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the book's format, with its 100 short chapters that are easily digestible and can be read one at a time.

"...Wow, no comparison. Dobelli uses short, punchy "chapters" that are almost just a few paragraphs to explain, define, exemplify and illustrate each..." Read more

"Written to be read quickly, whenever and wherever. Short chapters 1-100 that breakdown different ways to process thoughts and have clear outcomes...." Read more

"...It was a joy to read. The chapters are not very long but provide enough understanding of each of the biases, in addition to some examples that one..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the book immensly. The chapters are short, the language is clean and the examples illuminating...." Read more

10 customers mention "Entertainment value"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with its dry humor being everywhere throughout the text. One customer describes it as an eye-opening joy ride, while another notes how the author continually makes fun of himself.

"...The humor is dry but everywhere, especially his many "aha" insights about how these errors helped us keep from being killed as cave folk but do us..." Read more

"...Dobelli has gathered 99 errors common to us all. He provides short, amusing and pithy insights into their form and causes...." Read more

"...Made difficult concepts easier to grasp. Funny. Good for people with modest attention spans." Read more

"...gives tips on how to make decisions before investing, it is good to refresh our habit of how we owe to think about life in general." Read more

23 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive15 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money, with some finding it worth the purchase while others consider it disappointing.

"...Sunk Cost Fallacy The film was awful. After an hour, Dobelli whispered to his wife: ‘Come on, let’s go home.’ She replied : ‘No way...." Read more

"...This book is worth the money to buy and the time to read it more than once." Read more

"...But personally (as in my opinion) this book really wasn’t worth it...." Read more

"...I haven't finished this book because I find it both boring and poorly written...." Read more

Great Read!
5 out of 5 stars
Great Read!
Great insight on taking the time to think through situations and offers practical ways to approach the world.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Professor dot biz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Comparing to Wiki's Cognitive Bias List?
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2013
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Many know that Wikipedia has a "mistake" list of potential cognitive errors and biases that links to nearly infinite mistakes these poor brains can make! This is like the little book of 100 things that can go right vs. the 2,000 page book of clinical maladies that can descend upon us each unsuspecting day.

    This read is truly an eye-opening joy ride! Even though the author claims happiness is genetic and not to expect too much, hey, get this, it's enlightening AND entertaining! How is it better than the plethora of error books and self help sites out there, as well as Wiki's extensive list? Wow, no comparison. Dobelli uses short, punchy "chapters" that are almost just a few paragraphs to explain, define, exemplify and illustrate each cognitive trap, error and bias-- astonishing. The humor is dry but everywhere, especially his many "aha" insights about how these errors helped us keep from being killed as cave folk but do us disservice now. He wryly shares that the guy who questioned the herd mentality probably didn't contribute to the gene pool if he did so while all his buddies were running from a lion! This author's sense of humor is too contagious.

    As you get through the first few "chapters" your mind will be reeling with the insights-- they really are more subtle than the fun tone suggests at first. Then, you look at the 300 pages that remain and realize how PACKED this book is with eye opening insights-- wow. This is one of those rare books after which you never look at the world, your life, or your relationships the same, EVER again!

    Even if you've studied these mistakes and biases for years, or are an expert in the field (an "authority?" oh, oh), Rolf's "multiple angle" style of illustration, story telling, examples, descriptions and taxonomy really drives the trap home in deeply understandable, gut ways you might not have experienced with other authors. A dry topic like exit barriers is generalized with an error about sunk costs, and examples given for everything from relationships to habits, never mind investments! Though he is a friend of Taleb's, don't believe the hype that this is a "business" or investing book-- its examples and applications range much farther than that universe, down to our daily unconscious choices and patterns.

    Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys seemingly light page turners that turn out to be much deeper and life changing. NOT a self help tome, in fact he makes great fun of self helpers, showing them the covariate mirror where they ignored their own genetics and luck to get there, having nothing to do at all with the "techniques" they are now espousing and promoting. Best of all, this is a guy who continually makes fun of himself and tells many stories about his own "stupidity" -- subtly teaching us he's caught on to the subtlest trickster of all-- ego.

    Library Picks reviews only for the benefit of Amazon shoppers and has nothing to do with Amazon, the authors, manufacturers or publishers of the items we review. We always buy the items we review for the sake of objectivity, and although we search for gems, are not shy about trashing an item if it's a waste of time or money for Amazon shoppers. If the reviewer identifies herself, her job or her field, it is only as a point of reference to help you gauge the background and any biases.
    32 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ian Mann
    4.0 out of 5 stars including the highly intelligent, resulting in everyone falling into the same cognitive ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    In the 1960s psychologists began to examine scientifically, how people think, decide and take action. The result, explains the author of this book, Rolf Dobelli, was a “theory of irrationality that states: thinking is in itself not pure, but prone to error.” This, they found, was true of all people, including the highly intelligent, resulting in everyone falling into the same cognitive errors.
    More interestingly, it appears we all “systematically err in the same direction.” If this is indeed true, it means we all make predictable mistakes. If it is true, and it appears to be, we should be able to fix at least some of them and avoid making these errors in our lives.
    Dobelli has gathered 99 errors common to us all. He provides short, amusing and pithy insights into their form and causes. This has not made his life error free, he reports. However, “to make things simple, I have set myself the following rules: in situations where the possible consequences are large, I try to be as reasonable and rational as possible when choosing… In situations where the consequences are small I forget about rational optimisation and let my intuition take over.”
    This book is a useful compendium of error. Reading this book will certainly increase one’s awareness of possible errors, which will lead to better decisions. To illustrate, I have chosen five errors of the Dobelli’s 99.
    Social Proof
    You are roaming the Serengeti some 50,000 years ago, and your hunter-gather companions suddenly break into a desperate run away from some disturbance. What should you do? Mindlessly follow, or consider the possibility that it is a gazelle rather than a predator. Having seen a thoughtful companion become some animal’s lunch you run with the crowd.
    “Social proof” is the legacy of this herd instinct that dictates that individuals are behaving correctly when they act the same as other people. Social proof is behind stock market bubbles, as well as stock market stampedes. It is no different in the worlds of fashion, management techniques, and diets.
    Social proof informs even simple decision such as selecting a restaurant in an area with which you are unfamiliar. It seems sensible to choose the one that is full over a poorly patronised one.
    Novelist W. Somerset Maugham put the error of social proof succinctly: ‘If 50 million people say something foolish, it is still foolish.’
    Sunk Cost Fallacy
    The film was awful. After an hour, Dobelli whispered to his wife: ‘Come on, let’s go home.’ She replied : ‘No way. We’re not throwing away $ 30.’ The $ 30 is not reason to stay, that would be a thinking error. The money was been spent, and will not be returned. This is an example of the sunk cost error.
    So often in business, there is the sense that having invested so much, it would be wrong to stop now. Stopping now, makes the investment seem a mistake. The sunk cost fallacy is most dangerous when we have invested time, money, energy, commitment or love in something.
    The need for consistency drives this type of irrational behaviour. Deciding to cancel the project before it is completed is to admit that we had made a mistake.
    Sometimes the consequences of this thinking error costs lives as when America extended their involvement in the Vietnam War. Their thinking: ‘We’ve already sacrificed so much for this war; it would be a mistake to give up now.’
    Reciprocity
    Psychologist Robert Cialdini has studied the phenomenon of reciprocity and concluded that people have discomfort feeling they are indebted to another person.
    Dobelli offers this example: “A supplier of screws invites a potential customer to join him at a big sports game. A month later, it’s time to order screws. The desire not to be in debt is so strong that the buyer gives in and places an order with his new friend.”
    This phenomenon has a long history. When primitive man’s food supplies were subject to high fluctuations, he needed others to share their food with him. When he killed an animal too large to eat in one day, he would share the meat with others in his group. Doing this would ensure that they share their meat with him when he is short.
    When approached in the supermarket, with an offer of a taste of wine, a chunk of cheese or a handful of olives, Dobelli advises to refuse the offer. The error of reciprocity has led many to ending up a pantry full of goods they do not even like.
    Contrast Effect
    We judge something to be beautiful, expensive or large only if we have something ugly, cheap or small to compare it to.
    Experiments indicate that people will walk an extra ten minutes to save $ 10 on food. The same people, however would not walk ten minutes to save $ 10 on a $ 1,000 suit. The whole category of discount business is only viable because of this error, Dobelli claims.
    In the investment arena, the error leads people to believe a share is good value because it is 50% below the peak price. The share price is what it is, and comparison is irrelevant. All that matters is whether the share goes up or down in the future.
    The contrast effect also plays out in the social arena. If you are dating it is not prudent to double date with your supermodel friend. This makes you appear less attractive than you really are!
    Chauffeur Knowledge
    According to Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s business partner, there are two types of knowledge. “Real knowledge” is what people have when they have invested time and effort to understanding a topic. “Chauffeur knowledge” is the result of learning how to put on a show. Warren Buffett uses the phrase, ‘circle of competence’ to avoid this error. ‘You have to stick within what I call your circle of competence. You have to know what you understand and what you don’t understand. It’s not terribly important how big the circle is. But it is terribly important that you know where the perimeter is.’
    It is so easy to not confuse the company spokesperson, the newscaster, and the cliché generator with those who possess true knowledge. You can recognize the difference because the true experts know what they know and what they do not know.
    This book is a “must read!” We cannot do enough to protect ourselves from our thinking errors and the author sites 99 such errors. Much of the material in this book can be found scattered elsewhere. The value of this book is that the information is in one place.
    Readability Light --+-- Serious
    Insights High --+-- Low
    Practical High --+-- Low

    *Ian Mann of Gateways consults internationally on leadership and strategy and is the author of Strategy that Works.
    130 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Manesh Kumar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and easy to understang
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I would recommend everyone to read this book to enhance thinking and take decisions more rationally, which can lead us to rationality.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • EVA MORRIS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Everyone needs to clear they head every now and then. This book is well worth the read.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ignacio Zamora
    5.0 out of 5 stars A nice compendium of biases that we carry with us all the time
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have read several books on biases and I think this is the most complete one so far. It was a joy to read. The chapters are not very long but provide enough understanding of each of the biases, in addition to some examples that one can relate to. This is a very good book if you are looking to improve yourself or at least be aware of what you and every other person must struggle with each day and we are unaware of.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • NAS
    1.0 out of 5 stars Overthinking
    Reviewed in Belgium on January 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Not for anyone I guess
    Report
  • Pramod
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy book with intermittently read.
    Reviewed in India on March 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Very useful when it's time of decision. We always think and go upto decision. After reading this book I found, how I was poor thinking. Best book of this year. Who change life.
    Report
  • Hani
    5.0 out of 5 stars A nice summary
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on September 24, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The book is like a nice summary of many great ideas and mental models.
    Report
  • Aled Ball
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bite size chapters of knowledge
    Reviewed in Australia on May 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great read.
    Bite size chapters for gradual understanding and implementation into your every day life.

    It’s sorta like a self help book, with a daily dose of knowledge and insight into... ya!
    Report
  • Jaden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good
    Reviewed in Canada on May 27, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I own the physical copy and really like it, so I got the digital version lol
    Report