The book "Perspectives on Self-Deception" by Robert Kegan explores the concept of self-deception and its role in shaping our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships. The author argues that self-deception is not just a personal problem but a societal one, and that it is essential to understand and address it if we want to create a more just and equitable society. The book begins by defining self-deception as the tendency to distort or deny reality in order to maintain a positive self-image. This can manifest in various ways, such as overestimating our abilities, underestimating others', or ignoring our own flaws. Kegan argues that self-deception is a universal human phenomenon, present in all cultures and societies, and that it is deeply ingrained in our socialization processes. Kegan then delves into the different forms of self-deception, including the "immature" form, where we deny or repress uncomfortable truths about ourselves, and the "mature" form, where we acknowledge and accept our limitations while still striving for growth and improvement. He also discusses how self-deception can be both adaptive and maladaptive, depending on the context. One of the most significant contributions of the book is its emphasis on the need to study and understand the process of technological evolution. Kegan argues that technology has evolved at an exponential rate in recent years, and this has led to a significant shift in the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

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