Linda: Less is More
Chapter summary from Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
Some judgments feel more plausible when they are more detailed. A richer story seems more “real,” even if it is logically less likely.
This is where the mind stumbles: it can prefer a conjunction (A and B) over a single component (A). Coherence and representativeness beat probability.
The fast system asks, “Which description fits best?” and answers with the most story-like option. The slow system must remember a dull rule: adding conditions can only reduce likelihood.
The trap is persuasive because it rewards imagination. The better the narrative, the higher the confidence.
To resist it, separate plausibility from probability. A description can feel right and still be statistically wrong. Logic is often less vivid than a good stereotype.
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