Daniel Kahneman, the renowned psychologist who revolutionized behavioral economics, has passed away at the age of 90. He peacefully departed on Wednesday, as reported by Princeton University, where he had been a faculty member since 1993. The specific cause of his death was not disclosed.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1934 to French parents, Kahneman's family moved back to Paris when he was just three months old. His childhood was marred by the horrors of World War II, as the Nazis invaded France when he was in first grade. Forced to wear the yellow star marking Jews for deportation, his family narrowly escaped mass deportations to concentration camps. Despite the challenges, Kahneman's father, a research chemist, was released after being taken away. The family then sought refuge in unoccupied France, living in hiding until the end of the war. Sadly, Kahneman's father passed away in 1944. Two years later, at the age of 12, he relocated with his mother to British-ruled Palestine, just before the establishment of Israel.
Kahneman's academic journey began at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he studied mathematics and psychology. He later pursued a Ph.D. at Berkeley, focusing on statistics, the psychology of visual perception, and group dynamics. Returning to Hebrew University at 27 to teach statistics and psychology, he formed a legendary partnership with Amos Tversky, also a professor of psychology.
Together, Kahneman and Tversky developed groundbreaking models that exposed the fallibility of intuitive reasoning. Their work highlighted how human behavior often defies rational decision-making, relying instead on instinctual responses. This pioneering collaboration earned Kahneman the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2002, six years after Tversky's passing.
Eldar Shafir, a former colleague at Princeton University, described Kahneman as a "giant in the field," emphasizing his profound impact on social sciences. Kahneman's best-selling book, "Thinking, Fast and Slow," further popularized his ideas, challenging traditional beliefs about human behavior.
Kahneman's contributions to integrating psychology into economics, particularly in understanding human judgment and decision-making under uncertainty, have left an indelible mark. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the realms of psychology, economics, and beyond.
Login