New Delhi, India – Renowned psychologist Daniel Kahneman, known for his groundbreaking work in behavioral economics, has passed away at the age of 90. Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winner, brought fresh insights to the field by challenging the idea that human behavior is always rational and logical. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the social sciences, forever altering our understanding of decision-making processes.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1934, Kahneman’s early life was marked by the turmoil of World War II. As the Nazis invaded France, his family was forced to wear the yellow star denoting Jewish identity. Despite the hardships they faced, Kahneman and his family managed to escape to unoccupied France before settling in British-ruled Palestine.

Kahneman’s academic pursuits led him to study math and psychology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he eventually earned a Ph.D. His collaboration with fellow psychologist Amos Tversky proved to be revolutionary, as they delved into the flaws of intuitive reasoning. Their partnership laid the groundwork for groundbreaking models on decision-making processes and human judgment.

In 2002, Kahneman’s work with Tversky culminated in a Nobel Prize in Economics, recognizing their innovative research on how human cognitive biases impact our everyday choices. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences commended Kahneman for his integration of psychological insights into economics, shedding light on the complexities of decision-making under uncertainty.

Throughout his career, Kahneman’s influence extended far beyond academia, shaping our understanding of human behavior and challenging conventional wisdom. His best-selling book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” remains a seminal work in the field of behavioral economics, cementing his legacy as a giant in the realm of social sciences. Kahneman’s passing leaves a significant void in the academic world, with colleagues and admirers mourning the loss of a visionary thinker and researcher.