Rationality — You Think You Are, But You’re NOT

A brief overview from the science perspective.

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Introduction

So, do you think you're rational? Join the club! Most of us love to believe that our decisions and beliefs are grounded in solid logic and reason. But guess what? More often than not, we're more irrational than we think. Scientific evidence supports this; it's not just a gut feeling.

The Illusion of Rationality

Research indicates that humans tend to have a variety of cognitive biases. For instance, confirmation bias leads us to favor information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs. Have you ever found yourself nodding to an article that agrees with your views while furiously critiquing one that doesn't? Bingo!

Stats Don't Lie

Here's a frightening number: a study by West found that when people are presented with factual evidence that contradicts their beliefs, only 4% consider a change of mind. That's an impressive 96%! Rational? Not so much.

So, What's the Solution?

Here's where it gets interesting. The key to overcoming these biases is to avoid becoming more intelligent or informed (though that doesn't hurt). It's…