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Why do we use deception and lies?

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Chess piece 'pawn' throwing the shadow of a 'king'
Why do we use deception and lies?(Getty Images: Fantastic Studio/Gary Waters/Science Photo Library)

What is truth? How has it evolved? And what is its impact anyway?

Evolutionary science shows that subtle social manipulation of fellow group members was a key driver of intelligence in the human lineage. And even animals use trickery to their advantage.

Big Ideas looks at why we lie and why deception is so widespread in modern public discourse.

The evolution of truth presented by the Royal Institution of Great Britain. November 8, 2018

Original broadcast on June 22, 2021.

Speakers

Richard Byrne - Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of St Andrews

Evan Davis – economist, broadcaster, author

Credits

Broadcast 
Science and Technology, Community and Society
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