This week's Featured Fellow is Simon Handley, Pro Vice Chancellor of Higher Degree Research Training and Partnerships at Macquarie University, and a member of our Research Group, "Meta Reasoning: Concepts, Open Issues and Methodology". We spoke to Simon about logic puzzles, running, and intuition…

 

What research are you working on during your time at the IIAS?

My current work examines logical intuitions; emerging evidence that people’s intuitive inferences are not always subject to error and bias. This evidence arises from the metacognitive judgments that accompany the responses that people give on reasoning problems, such as the confidence we feel or how much we like the solution that we arrive at. My research at the institute has focused on how people combine such metacognitive cues and how these guide their judgments, together with the degree of insight that people have into the accuracy of their responses.

 

How did you first get involved in this area of research?

I was lucky enough to secure a research assistant position shortly after I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology. The project focused on meta-deduction; how people reason on problems that require reflections about the truth or falsity of assertions. I spent three years working on truth-teller/liar puzzles, of the kind developed by Raymond Smullyan, a philosopher who used the liar paradox as a means of illustrating some fundamental principles of mathematics and logic. I always liked logical puzzles as a child and didn’t realise at the time that you could build a career examining how people solve these sorts of problems. I now understand how study of reasoning can provide deep insights into how the cognitive system operates and the capabilities and limitations of human thought.

 

Share an interesting or thought-provoking fact that you have uncovered in your research.

I think my most interesting discovery is that, contrary to many of the dominant models in the psychology of reasoning, people’s intuitions are often logical and align with rational principles. Reasoning well does not always require deliberate, effortful thought. This is a much more optimistic view of reasoning which contrasts with the idea that much of human thinking is error prone and subject to systematic biases. I like discoveries that challenge the status quo, that require us to think about things in a different way, rethink theories and challenge dominant narratives. 

 

Were you always interested in going into academia?

No, not really, but I have always been fascinated by research. My father completed a PhD in chemical engineering as a precursor to a career in the brewing industry. I remember coming across his thesis as a teenager and being captivated by the idea that he had discovered something new, a discovery that would influence the brewing industry for many years. So, although I had never considered academia as a potential career, the idea of completing a PhD, committing many years to engaging deeply in a research question, was a very attractive prospect. It just took a few more years, a little bit of good luck and serendipity before I found myself following in my father’s footsteps!

 

How has your experience been so far at the IIAS?

The experience has been extraordinary, both professionally and personally. Working with an internationally renowned group of scholars from around the world in a newly emerging field of research is a unique opportunity. To be able to dedicate oneself to deeply engaging in a research topic for an extended period, to the relative exclusion of other concerns, is unusual in the life of a senior academic. It reminds me of my PhD, the only other period in my academic career in which I felt a similar level of engagement, commitment and immersion in purely research pursuits.

 

Do you have any hobbies outside of your research?

About 20 years ago I started running and rapidly progressed to completing really long-distance races. My proudest achievement was running 220 km as part of a 24-hour race, running around a 400m athletic track, many, many times. Running has taught me some fundamental things about people’s capabilities. When you’re running, you get to the point where you think you can’t move another metre; that your body’s breaking down, but you learn that you can hit the ‘wall’ many times in a long race and still keep going. It teaches you something about resilience; whatever the adversity or no matter how terrible you feel physically or emotionally, if you persevere you will get through it. You can always find new energy to keep moving forward!

 

Can you give us a book recommendation?

The book I have enjoyed most whilst on the fellowship is called The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis. The book traces the relationship between Danny Kahneman and Amos Tversky from their first meeting in 1960’s Israel to the publication of their transformational research in behavioural economics. Reading about two of the most influential researchers in your field whilst working at the University and the city in which they met is pretty special. It is a great read; I would strongly recommend it!

 

How are you finding living in Jerusalem, and what's your favourite spot?

It is so unusual to have an opportunity to spend an extended period of time in a place with such a rich cultural and political history. I have enjoyed immersing myself in the city, its people and its extraordinary places. The location that sums up the special character of Jerusalem for me is the Dominus Flevit Catholic Church on the Mount of Olives. The window of this church perfectly frames a view of the Old City, with the altar cross in the foreground and the Temple Mount in background, the embodiment of three cultures and religions in one frame.

I had never visited Jerusalem before the fellowship and I will be sad to leave, but I have no doubt that I will return soon to this wonderful place. I’d like to express my gratitude to the IIAS for offering such opportunities – it has genuinely been life changing!