Do you carry a talisman in your pocket? Is there a lucky shirt you like to wear when your team is playing? Maybe, just maybe you’re wary of opening an umbrella inside or hiss at any black cat in your way? Or, maybe, you do neither of these things and would really like to understand why other people do it? If you are interested in the world of superstition, author JD Arden takes a deep dive into the psychology and history of many of these practices and explains why people act in certain ways that seem irrational or, actually, are irrational. Thirteen: Decoding Superstition examines the history and psychology behind the most common practices and analyzes how it can bring a feeling of control into a world of chaos.
Is Thirteen an Evil Number?
Many seem to think so. Superstition has a real impact on the world: people will get anxious on Fridays that fall on a 13 and some buildings will even not have a thirteenth floor. But where do these ideas come from? Why do they remain so powerful even in the modern world of science and technology? Arden takes a philosophical approach that considers contributions from many fields and leaves the reader with questions that are sure to be pondered for a long time after finishing the book.
This makes this a must-read for anyone interested in the topic of superstition and rational and irrational thinking. Arden offers some unique insights grounded in science and current views, as well as in historical research.
About JD Arden
JD Arden (the author’s pen-name) is a writer recognized for his unique non-fiction books that mix philosophy and science to dig deep into some thorny questions. The topic of this book is superstition but it goes beyond it. There is a lot to be gained here for inquisitive minds, and Arden doesn’t seek to provide easy answers because there are none. Instead, he deals with these questions with the commitment they require.
The author has published other books on equally thorny subjects. “Mind over Machine: Brace or Embrace” deals with the topic of AI, exploring the changes that this technology is sure to bring, as well as the associated ethical dilemmas. “Against the Clock” explores the complex relationship humanity has with time and the ways in which time influences our lives, not just because it keeps marching forward but also because of how it shapes the sense of self we all have.
Before that, Arden published “Chasing Shadows: The Psychology of Fear“, a deep examination of this emotion and the ways in which it has marked the development of modern humans. Finally, “Life’s Loaded Dice: When Six Never Comes” is a harsh examination of a reality where merit doesn’t matter as much as we would like it to.
Thirteen: Decoding Superstition is the latest in this impressive line-up. Another deep philosophical work that is sure to leave readers with a new perspective on many things they took for granted and with many delicious questions to ponder.
