# The Rationality Quotient ## Metadata * Author: [Keith E. Stanovich, Richard F. West, and Maggie E. Toplak](https://www.amazon.comundefined) * ASIN: B08BSWSK9J * Reference: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BSWSK9J * [Kindle link](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B08BSWSK9J) ## Highlights The simplest definition of instrumental rationality is: Behaving in the world so that you get exactly what you most want, given the resources (physical and mental) available to you. Somewhat more technically, we could characterize instrumental rationality as the optimization of the individual’s goal fulfillment. — location: [338](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B08BSWSK9J&location=338) ^ref-31378 --- The other type of rationality, epistemic rationality, concerns how well our beliefs map onto the actual structure of the world. — location: [341](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B08BSWSK9J&location=341) ^ref-45735 --- These two types of rationality are related, of course; to take actions that fulfill our goals, we need to base those actions on beliefs that properly match up with the world. — location: [343](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B08BSWSK9J&location=343) ^ref-22006 --- Epistemic rationality is about what is true and instrumental rationality is about what to do. — location: [347](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B08BSWSK9J&location=347) ^ref-41781 ---