"Rice, himself a scientist, [posits that] that science is essentially organized common sense. While the brain is hardwired for common sense, unfortunately it also relies on a number of misleading tendencies. Instead of reasoning objectively it tends to rationalize. Often it sees what it wants to see rather than what is really there. And it is adept at both self-deception and deceiving others. Rice notes that these tendencies were useful in the past as the human race evolved in an often-hostile environment. But today bias and delusions put us at risk of worldwide catastrophe"--Dust jacket flap.