Why we think what we think!
From The Lowdown from Nick Cohen by Nick Cohen
May 18, 2026 · 54 min · Season 1 · Episode 131
About this episode
Nick Cohen discusses with Turi Munthe how non-rational factors influence our beliefs and political preferences.
Why we think what we think! The factors beyond our control that form our beliefs! Nick Cohen chats to author, journalist and entrepreneur Turi Munthe about his latest book "Why We Think What We Think," which explores how non-rational factors significantly influence political and social beliefs. In an increasingly polarised and fractious world, the issue of people's beliefs and think and why they hold them is becoming increasingly of importance, and for our sinister tech giants, of monetary value! Turi Munthe discusses various research findings showing how physical attributes like beauty, neurological differences, climate, and cultural background shape political preferences, including examples like taste bud variations between liberals and conservatives, and how collectivist versus individualist cultures affect moral reasoning. Turi's research also reveals how factors such as good looks can have an inordinate influence on people''s belief systems and how they succeed or fail in life. Nick and Turi discuss concerns about using biological research to pathologise political differences, the importance of free speech in allowing different perspectives to emerge, and how gender…
People in this episode
Host: Nick Cohen
Guest: Turi Munthe
Topics covered
- belief formation
- political preferences
- social beliefs
- cultural influences
- free speech
- debate
Keywords
- beliefs
- politics
- social influences
- cultural background
- free speech
- debate
- research findings
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Why We Think What We Think
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