Books by Erik-Jan Vlieger

Why your emotions are smarter than you

How your unconscious runs your life (and why that is good news)

We often think emotions are irrational outbursts. Old remnants from a primitive animal brain that we need to keep in check with our reason. But that picture is wrong.

Emotions are not ancient leftovers from evolution. They are calculated at lightning speed by the unconscious part of your brain — a system that processes 11 million bits per second, while you are conscious of only 40. Their purpose: to protect your reputation and to move the people around you — for you.

Forget the battle between reason and feeling. There is no battle. There is a sophisticated collaboration in which you — your consciousness — are the final link, not the boss.

This book is about why emotions only disappear once a receipt has been signed. About why you cannot think your fear away with logic, but can only experience it away with new data. And why your neighbour probably knows you better than you know yourself.

A sober, scientific look at our inner world. For everyone who wants to understand why we do what we do.

Expected: late 2026